Draft 38305-g10 v2
Draft 38305-g10 v2
Draft 38305-g10 v2
0 (2020-073)
Technical Specification
3rd Generation Partnership Project;
Technical Specification Group Radio Access Network;
NG Radio Access Network (NG-RAN);
Stage 2 functional specification of
User Equipment (UE) positioning in NG-RAN
(Release 16)
The present document has been developed within the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP TM) and may be further elaborated for the purposes of 3GPP..
The present document has not been subject to any approval process by the 3GPP Organizational Partners and shall not be implemented.
This Specification is provided for future development work within 3GPP only. The Organizational Partners accept no liability for any use of this
Specification.
Specifications and Reports for implementation of the 3GPP TM system should be obtained via the 3GPP Organizational Partners' Publications Offices.
Release 16 2 3GPP TS 38.305 V16.10.0 (2020-073)
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Contents
Foreword..........................................................................................................................................................9
1 Scope....................................................................................................................................................10
2 References............................................................................................................................................10
3 Definitions, symbols and abbreviations................................................................................................12
3.1 Definitions.........................................................................................................................................................12
3.2 Abbreviations.....................................................................................................................................................12
4 Main concepts and requirements..........................................................................................................13
4.1 Assumptions and Generalities...........................................................................................................................13
4.2 Role of UE Positioning Methods.......................................................................................................................14
4.3 Standard UE Positioning Methods....................................................................................................................15
4.3.1 Introduction..................................................................................................................................................15
4.3.2 Network-assisted GNSS methods................................................................................................................16
4.3.3 OTDOA positioning.....................................................................................................................................16
4.3.4 Enhanced Cell ID methods..........................................................................................................................16
4.3.5 Barometric pressure sensor positioning.......................................................................................................17
4.3.6 WLAN positioning.......................................................................................................................................17
4.3.7 Bluetooth positioning...................................................................................................................................17
4.3.8 TBS positioning...........................................................................................................................................17
4.3.9 Motion sensor positioning............................................................................................................................17
4.3.10 NR Enhanced Cell ID methods....................................................................................................................18
4.3.11 Multi-RTT positioning.................................................................................................................................18
4.3.12 DL AoD positioning....................................................................................................................................18
4.3.13 DL TDOA positioning.................................................................................................................................18
4.3.14 UL TDOA positioning.................................................................................................................................18
4.3.15 UL AoA.......................................................................................................................................................18
5 NG-RAN UE Positioning Architecture.................................................................................................19
5.1 Architecture.......................................................................................................................................................19
5.2 UE Positioning Operations................................................................................................................................19
5.3 NG-RAN Positioning Operations......................................................................................................................21
5.3.1 General NG-RAN Positioning Operations...................................................................................................21
5.3.2 OTDOA Positioning Support.......................................................................................................................21
5.3.3 Assistance Information Broadcast Support..................................................................................................21
5.3.4 NR RAT-Dependent Positioning Support....................................................................................................21
5.4 Functional Description of Elements Related to UE Positioning in NG-RAN...................................................21
5.4.1 User Equipment (UE)...................................................................................................................................21
5.4.2 gNB..............................................................................................................................................................22
5.4.3 ng-eNB.........................................................................................................................................................22
5.4.4 Location Management Function (LMF)......................................................................................................22
6 Signalling protocols and interfaces.......................................................................................................22
6.1 Network interfaces supporting positioning operations......................................................................................22
6.1.1 General LCS control plane architecture.......................................................................................................22
6.1.2 NR-Uu interface...........................................................................................................................................23
6.1.3 LTE-Uu interface.........................................................................................................................................23
6.1.4 NG-C interface.............................................................................................................................................23
6.1.5 NLs interface................................................................................................................................................23
6.1.6 F1 interface..................................................................................................................................................23
6.2 UE-terminated protocols....................................................................................................................................23
6.2.1 LTE Positioning Protocol (LPP)..................................................................................................................23
6.2.2 Radio Resource Control (RRC) for NR.......................................................................................................24
6.2.3 Radio Resource Control (RRC) for LTE.....................................................................................................24
6.3 NG-RAN Node terminated protocols................................................................................................................24
6.3.1 NR Positioning Protocol A (NRPPa)...........................................................................................................24
6.3.2 NG Application Protocol (NGAP)...............................................................................................................25
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Foreword
This Technical Specification has been produced by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP).
The contents of the present document are subject to continuing work within the TSG and may change following formal
TSG approval. Should the TSG modify the contents of the present document, it will be re-released by the TSG with an
identifying change of release date and an increase in version number as follows:
Version x.y.z
where:
y the second digit is incremented for all changes of substance, i.e. technical enhancements, corrections,
updates, etc.
z the third digit is incremented when editorial only changes have been incorporated in the document.
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1 Scope
The present document specifies the stage 2 of the UE Positioning function of NG-RAN which provides the mechanisms
to support or assist the calculation of the geographical position of a UE. UE position knowledge can be used, for
example, in support of Radio Resource Management functions, as well as location-based services for operators,
subscribers, and third-party service providers. The purpose of this stage 2 specification is to define the NG-RAN UE
Positioning architecture, functional entities and operations to support positioning methods. This description is confined
to the NG-RAN Access Stratum. It does not define or describe how the results of the UE position calculation can be
utilised in the Core Network (e.g., LCS) or in NG-RAN (e.g., RRM).
This stage 2 specification covers the NG-RAN positioning methods, state descriptions, and message flows to support
UE Positioning.
2 References
The following documents contain provisions which, through reference in this text, constitute provisions of the present
document.
- References are either specific (identified by date of publication, edition number, version number, etc.) or
non-specific.
- For a non-specific reference, the latest version applies. In the case of a reference to a 3GPP document (including
a GSM document), a non-specific reference implicitly refers to the latest version of that document in the same
Release as the present document.
[2] 3GPP TS 23.501 "System Architecture for the 5G System; Stage 2".
[3] 3GPP TS 22.071: "Location Services (LCS); Service description, Stage 1".
[5] IS-GPS-200, Revision D, Navstar GPS Space Segment/Navigation User Interfaces, March 7th,
2006.
[6] IS-GPS-705, Navstar GPS Space Segment/User Segment L5 Interfaces, September 22, 2005.
[7] IS-GPS-800, Navstar GPS Space Segment/User Segment L1C Interfaces, September 4, 2008.
[8] Galileo OS Signal in Space ICD (OS SIS ICD), Draft 0, Galileo Joint Undertaking, May 23rd,
2006.
[9] Global Navigation Satellite System GLONASS Interface Control Document, Version 5, 2002.
[10] IS-QZSS, Quasi Zenith Satellite System Navigation Service Interface Specifications for QZSS,
Ver.1.0, June 17, 2008.
[11] Specification for the Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS), US Department of
Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration, DTFA01-96-C-00025, 2001.
[12] RTCM 10402.3, RTCM Recommended Standards for Differential GNSS Service (v.2.3), August
20, 2001.
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[13] 3GPP TS 36.331: "Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA); Radio Resource
Control (RRC); Protocol specification".
[14] 3GPP TS 38.331: "NR Radio Resource Control (RRC) protocol specification".
[15] OMA-AD-SUPL-V2_0: "Secure User Plane Location Architecture Approved Version 2.0".
[17] 3GPP TS 36.214: "Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA); Physical layer –
Measurements".
[18] 3GPP TS 36.302: "Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA); Services provided by
the physical layer".
[19] 3GPP TS 36.355: "Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA); LTE Positioning
Protocol (LPP)".
[20] BDS-SIS-ICD-B1I-32.0: "BeiDou Navigation Satellite System Signal In Space Interface Control
Document Open Service Signal B1I (Version 32.0)", February, 2019December 2013.
[21] IEEE 802.11: "Wireless LAN Medium Access Control (MAC) and Physical Layer (PHY)
Specifications"
[22] Bluetooth Special Interest Group: "Bluetooth Core Specification v4.2", December 2014.
[23] ATIS-0500027: "Recommendations for Establishing Wide Scale Indoor Location Performance",
May 2015.
[24] 3GPP TS 36.211: "Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA); Physical channels and
modulation".
[25] 3GPP TS 36.305: "Stage 2 functional specification of User Equipment (UE) positioning in
E-UTRA".
[28] 3GPP TS 29.518: "5G System; Access and Mobility Management Services; Stage 3".
[29] 3GPP TS 24.501: "Non-Access-Stratum (NAS) protocol for 5G System (5GS); Stage 3".
[31] RTCM 10403.3, "RTCM Recommended Standards for Differential GNSS Services (v.3.3)",
October 7, 2016.
[32] 3GPP TS 38.133: "NR; Requirements for support of radio resource management".
[34] BDS-SIS-ICD-B1C-1.0: "BeiDou Navigation Satellite System Signal In Space Interface Control
Document Open Service Signal B1C (Version 1.0)", December, 2017
[35] 3GPP TS 23.273: "5G System (5GS) Location Services (LCS); Stage 2".
[38] 3GPP TS 38.401: "3rd Generation Partnership Project; Technical Specification Group Radio
Access Network; NG-RAN; Architecture description".
[39] 3GPP TS 38.321: "NR; Medium Access Control (MAC) protocol specification".
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3.1 Definitions
For the purposes of the present document, the terms and definitions given in TR 21.905 [1] and the following apply. A
term defined in the present document takes precedence over the definition of the same term, if any, in TR 21.905 [1].
As used in this document, the suffixes "-based" and "-assisted" refer respectively to the node that is responsible for
making the positioning calculation (and which may also provide measurements) and a node that provides measurements
(but which does not make the positioning calculation). Thus, an operation in which measurements are provided by the
UE to the LMF to be used in the computation of a position estimate is described as "UE-assisted" (and could also be
called "LMF-based"), while one in which the UE computes its own position is described as "UE-based".
Transmission Point (TP): A set of geographically co-located transmit antennas (e.g. antenna array (with one or more
antenna elements)) for one cell, part of one cell or one DL- PRS-only TP. Transmission Points can include base station
(ng-eNB or gNB) antennas, remote radio heads, a remote antenna of a base station, an antenna of a DL- PRS-only TP,
etc. One cell can include one or multiple transmission points. For a homogeneous deployment, each transmission point
may correspond to one cell.
Reception Point (RP): A set of geographically co-located receive antennas (e.g. antenna array (with one or more
antenna elements)) for one cell, part of one cell or one UL- SRS-only RP. Reception Points can include base station
(ng-eNB or gNB) antennas, remote radio heads, a remote antenna of a base station, an antenna of a UL- SRS-only RP,
etc. One cell can include one or multiple reception points. For a homogeneous deployment, each reception point may
correspond to one cell.
PRS-only TP: A TP which only transmits PRS signals for PRS-based TBS positioning and is not associated with a cell.
Transmission-Reception Point (TRP): A set of geographically co-located antennas (e.g. antenna array (with one or
more antenna elements)) supporting TP and/or RP functionality.
3.2 Abbreviations
For the purposes of the present document, the abbreviations given in TR 21.905 [1] and the following apply. An
abbreviation defined in the present document takes precedence over the definition of the same abbreviation, if any, in
TR 21.905 [1].
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Positioning functionality provides a means to determine the geographic position and/or velocity of the UE based on
measuring radio signals. The position information may be requested by and reported to a client (e.g., an application)
associated with the UE, or by a client within or attached to the core network. The position information shall be reported
in standard formats, such as those for cell-based or geographical co-ordinates, together with the estimated errors
(uncertainty) of the position and velocity of the UE and, if available, the positioning method (or the list of the methods)
used to obtain the position estimate.
Restrictions on the geographic shape encoded within the 'position information' parameter may exist for certain LCS
client types. The 5GS, including NG-RAN, shall comply with any shape restrictions defined in 5GS and, in a particular
country, with any shape restrictions defined for a specific LCS client type in relevant national standards. For example,
in the US, national standard J-STD-036-C-2 restricts the geographic shape for an emergency services LCS client to
minimally either an "ellipsoid point" or an "ellipsoid point with uncertainty circle" as defined in TS 23.032 [4].
It shall be possible for the majority of the UEs within a network to use the LCS feature without compromising the radio
transmission or signalling capabilities of the NG-RAN.
The uncertainty of the position measurement shall be network-implementation-dependent, at the choice of the network
operator. The uncertainty may vary between networks as well as from one area within a network to another. The
uncertainty may be hundreds of metres in some areas and only a few metres in others. In the event that a particular
position measurement is provided through a UE-assisted process, the uncertainty may also depend on the capabilities of
the UE. In some jurisdictions, there is a regulatory requirement for location service accuracy that is part of an
emergency service. Further details of the accuracy requirements can be found in TS 22.071 [3].
The uncertainty of the position information is dependent on the method used, the position of the UE within the coverage
area and the activity of the UE. Several design options of the NG-RAN system (e.g., size of cell, adaptive antenna
technique, pathloss estimation, timing accuracy, ng-eNB and gNB surveys) shall allow the network operator to choose a
suitable and cost-effective UE positioning method for their market.
There are many different possible uses for the positioning information. The positioning functions may be used internally
by the 5GS, by value-added network services, by the UE itself or through the network, and by "third party" services.
The feature may also be used by an emergency service (which may be mandated or "value-added"), but the location
service is not exclusively for emergencies.
Design of the NG-RAN positioning capability as documented in this specification includes position methods, protocols
and procedures that are either adapted from capabilities already supported for E-UTRAN, UTRAN and GERAN, or
created separately from first principles. In contrast to GERAN and UTRAN but similarly to E-UTRAN, the NG-RAN
positioning capabilities are intended to be forward compatible to other access types and other position methods, in an
effort to reduce the amount of additional positioning support needed in the future. This goal also extends to user plane
location solutions such as OMA SUPL ([15], [16]), for which NG-RAN positioning capabilities are intended to be
compatible where appropriate.
As a basis for the operation of UE Positioning in NG-RAN, the following assumptions apply:
- the provision of the UE Positioning function in NG-RAN and 5GC is optional through support of the specified
method(s) in the ng-eNB, gNB and the LMF;
- UE Positioning is applicable to any target UE, whether or not the UE supports LCS, but with restrictions on the
use of certain positioning methods depending on UE capability (e.g. as defined within the LPP protocol);
- the positioning information may be used for internal system operations to improve system performance;
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- the UE Positioning architecture and functions shall include the option to accommodate several techniques of
measurement and processing to ensure evolution to follow changing service requirements and to take advantage
of advancing technology.
The signal measurements may be made by the UE or by the serving ng-eNB or gNB. The basic signals measured for
terrestrial position methods are typically the LTE or NR radio transmissions; however, other methods may make use of
other transmissions such as general radio navigation signals including those from Global Navigation Satellites Systems
(GNSSs).
The positioning function should not be limited to a single method or measurement. That is, it should be capable of
utilising other standard methods and measurements, as such methods and measurements are available and appropriate,
to meet the required service needs of the location service client. This additional information could consist of readily
available E-UTRAN or NG-RAN measurements.
- WLAN positioning;
- Bluetooth positioning;
- motion sensor.
- Uplink Angle of Arrival (UL-AoA), including the Azimuth of Arrival (A-AoA) and the Zenith of Arrival (Z-
AoA) based on NR signals.
Hybrid positioning using multiple methods from the list of positioning methods above is also supported.
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Standalone mode (e.g. autonomous, without network assistance) using one or more methods from the list of positioning
methods above is also supported.
These positioning methods may be supported in UE-based, UE-assisted/LMF-based, and NG-RAN node assisted
versions. Table 4.3.1-1 indicates which of these versions are supported in this version of the specification for the
standardised positioning methods.
Sensor, WLAN, Bluetooth, and TBS positioning methods based on MBS signals are also supported in standalone mode,
as described in the corresponding clauses.
Examples of global navigation satellite systemsGNSS include GPS, Modernized GPS, Galileo, GLONASS, Space
Based Augmentation Systems (SBAS), Quasi Zenith Satellite System (QZSS), and BeiDou Navigation Satellite System
(BDS). Regional navigation satellite systems include Quasi Zenith Satellite System (QZSS) while the many
augmentation systems, listed in 8.1.1, are classified under the generic term of Space Based Augmentation Systems
(SBAS) and provide regional augmentation services.
In this concept, different GNSSs (e.g. GPS, Galileo, etc.) can be used separately or in combination to determine the
location of a UE.
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Enhanced Cell ID (E-CID) based on LTE signals positioning refers to techniques which use additional UE
measurements and/or NG-RAN radio resource and other measurements to improve the UE location estimate.
Although E-CID based on LTE signals positioning may utilise some of the same measurements as the measurement
control system in the RRC protocol, the UE generally is not expected to make additional measurements for the sole
purpose of positioning; i.e., the positioning procedures do not supply a measurement configuration or measurement
control message, and the UE reports the measurements that it has available rather than being required to take additional
measurement actions.
In cases with a requirement for close time coupling between UE and ng-eNB measurements (e.g., TADV type 1 and UE
E-UTRA Rx-Tx time difference), the ng-eNB configures the appropriate RRC measurements and is responsible for
maintaining the required coupling between the measurements.
In the case of a serving gNB, E-CID based on LTE signals positioning can be supported using E-UTRA measurements
provided by a UE to the serving gNB.
The operation of the Enhanced Cell ID based on LTE signals method is described in clause 8.3.
This method should be combined with other positioning methods to determine the 3D position of the UE.
The operation of the Barometric pressure sensor positioning method is described in clause 8.4.
Alternatively, the UE makes use of WLAN measurements and optionally WLAN AP assistance data provided by the
positioning server, to determine its location.
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The operation of the TBS positioning method based on MBS signals is described in clause 8.7.
TBS positioning based on PRS signals is part of OTDOA positioning and described in clause 8.2.
This method should be used with other positioning methods for hybrid positioning.
Although NR E-CID positioning may utilise some of the same measurements as the measurement control system in the
RRC protocol, the UE generally is not expected to make additional measurements for the sole purpose of positioning;
i.e., the positioning procedures do not supply a measurement configuration or measurement control message, and the
UE reports the measurements that it has available rather than being required to take additional measurement actions.
The UE measures the UE Rx-Tx time difference measurements (and optionally DL PRS- RSRP of the received signals)
using assistance data received from the positioning server, and the TRPs measure the gNB Rx-Tx time difference
measurements (and optionally UL SRS-RSRP of the received signals) using assistance data received from the
positioning server. The measurements are used to determine the RTT at the positioning server which are used to
estimate the location of the UE.
The operation of the DL- AoD positioning method is described in clause 8.11.
The operation of the DL- TDOA positioning method is described in clause 8.12.
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The operation of the UL- TDOA positioning method is described in clause 8.13.
The operation of the UL- AoA positioning method is described in clause 8.14.
5.1 Architecture
Figure 5.1-1 shows the architecture in 5GS applicable to positioning of a UE with NR or E-UTRA access, the NG-RAN
architecture to support positioning is described in TS 38.401 [38].
The AMF receives a request for some location service associated with a particular target UE from another entity (e.g.,
GMLC or UE) or the AMF itself decides to initiate some location service on behalf of a particular target UE (e.g., for an
IMS emergency call from the UE) as described in TS 23.502 [26] and TS 23.273 [35]. The AMF then sends a location
services request to an LMF. The LMF processes the location services request which may include transferring assistance
data to the target UE to assist with UE-based and/or UE-assisted positioning and/or may include positioning of the
target UE. The LMF then returns the result of the location service back to the AMF (e.g., a position estimate for the UE.
In the case of a location service requested by an entity other than the AMF (e.g., a GMLC or UE), the AMF returns the
location service result to this entity.
An NG-RAN node may control several TRPs/TPs, such as remote radio heads, or DL- PRS-only TPs for support of
PRS-based TBS.
An LMF may have a proprietary signalling connection to an E-SMLC which may enable an LMF to access information
from E-UTRAN (e.g. to support the OTDOA for E-UTRA positioning method using downlink measurements obtained
by a target UE of signals from eNBs and/or PRS-only TPs in E-UTRAN). Details of the signalling interaction between
an LMF and E-SMLC are outside the scope of this specification.
An LMF may have a proprietary signalling connection to an SLP. The SLP is the SUPL entity responsible for
positioning over the user plane. Further details of user-plane positioning are provided in [15][16]. Details of the
signalling interaction between an LMF and SLP are outside the scope of this specification.
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TP
ng-eNB
LMF (Note 3) E-SMLC
(Note 1)
TP
NG
(N
Uu
ot
-C
e
E-
Xn NLs 3)
LT SLP
TRP
gNB NG-C
UE NR-Uu AMF
(Note 1)
SET TRP
NG-RAN
TP
ng-eNB
LMF E-SMLC
(Note 1)
TP
Xn NLs
SLP
TRP
gNB
UE NR-Uu AMF
(Note 1)
SET TRP
NG-RAN
NOTE 1: The gNB and ng-eNB may not always both be present.
NOTE 2: Void
Note that when the AMF receives a Location Service Request in case of the UE is in CM-IDLE state, the AMF
performs a network triggered service request as defined in TS 23.502 [26] and TS 23.273 [35] in order to establish a
signalling connection with the UE and assign a specific serving gNB or ng-eNB. The UE is assumed to be in connected
mode before the beginning of the flow shown in the Figure 5.2-1; that is, any signalling that might be required to bring
the UE to connected mode prior to step 1a is not shown. The signalling connection may, however, be later released (e.g.
by the NG-RAN node as a result of signalling and data inactivity) while positioning is still ongoing.
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2. Location Services
Request
3b. UE Procedures
4. Location Service
Response
2. Location Services
Request
3b. UE Procedures
4. Location Service
Response
1a. Either: some entity in the 5GC (e.g. GMLC) requests some location service (e.g. positioning) for a target UE to
the serving AMF.
1b. Or: the serving AMF for a target UE determines the need for some location service (e.g. to locate the UE for an
emergency call).
1c. Or: the UE requests some location service (e.g. positioning or delivery of assistance data) to the serving AMF at
the NAS level.
3a. The LMF instigates location procedures with the serving and possibly neighbouring ng-eNB or gNB in the NG-
RAN – e.g. to obtain positioning measurements or assistance data.
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3b. In addition to step 3a or instead of step 3a, for downlink positioning the LMF instigates location procedures with
the UE – e.g. to obtain a location estimate or positioning measurements or to transfer location assistance data to
the UE.
4. The LMF provides a location service response to the AMF and includes any needed results – e.g. success or
failure indication and, if requested and obtained, a location estimate for the UE.
5a. If step 1a was performed, the AMF returns a location service response to the 5GC entity in step 1a and includes
any needed results – e.g. a location estimate for the UE.
5b. If step 1b occurred, the AMF uses the location service response received in step 4 to assist the service that
triggered this in step 1b (e.g. may provide a location estimate associated with an emergency call to a GMLC).
5c. If step 1c was performed, the AMF returns a location service response to the UE and includes any needed results
– e.g. a location estimate for the UE.
Location procedures applicable to NG-RAN occur in steps 3a and 3b in Figure 5.2-1 and are defined in greater detail in
this specification. Other steps in Figure 5.2-1 are applicable only to the 5GC and are described in greater detail and in
TS 23.502 [26] and TS 23.273 [35].
Steps 3a and 3b can involve the use of different position methods to obtain location related measurements for a target
UE and from these compute a location estimate and possibly additional information like velocity. Positioning methods
supported in this release are summarized in clause 4.3 and described in detail in clause 8.
The case that the NG-RAN node functions as an LCS client is not supported in this version of the specification.
Signalling access between the LMF and ng-eNB may be via any AMF with signalling access to both the LMF and
ng-eNB. In the case of an ng-eNB with no signalling access to an AMF, signalling access between the LMF and
ng-eNB may be via any AMF with signalling access to both the LMF and a gNB with signalling access to the ng-eNB.
Signalling access between the LMF and NG-RAN node is via any AMF with signalling access to both the LMF and
NG-RAN node.
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Signalling access between the LMF and gNB may be via any AMF with signalling access to both the LMF and gNB.
The UE may also contain LCS applications, or access an LCS application either through communication with a network
accessed by the UE or through another application residing in the UE. This LCS application may include the needed
measurement and calculation functions to determine the UE's position with or without network assistance. This is
outside of the scope of this specification.
The UE may also, for example, contain an independent positioning function (e.g., GPS) and thus be able to report its
position, independent of the NG-RAN transmissions. The UE with an independent positioning function may also make
use of assistance information obtained from the network.
5.4.2 gNB
The gNB is a network element of NG-RAN that may provide measurement information for a target UE and
communicates this information to an LMF.
To support NR RAT-Dependent positioning, the gNB may provide measurement results for position estimation and
makes measurements of radio signals for a target UE and communicates these measurements to an LMF. A gNB may
serve several TRPs, including for example remote radio heads, and UL-SRS only RPs and DL- PRS-only TPs.
A gNB may broadcast assistance data information, received from an LMF, in positioning System Information messages.
5.4.3 ng-eNB
The ng-eNB is a network element of NG-RAN that may provide measurement results for position estimation and makes
measurements of radio signals for a target UE and communicates these measurements to an LMF.
The ng-eNB makes its measurements in response to requests from the LMF (on demand or periodically).
An ng-eNB may serve several TPs, including for example remote radio heads and PRS-only TPs for PRS-based TBS
positioning for E-UTRA.
An ng-eNB may broadcast assistance data information, received from an LMF, in positioning System Information
messages.
The LMF may interact with a target UE in order to deliver assistance data if requested for a particular location service,
or to obtain a location estimate if that was requested.
The LMF may interact with multiple NG-RAN nodes to provide assistance data information for broadcasting. The
assistance data information for broadcast may optionally be segmented and/or ciphered by the LMF. The LMF may also
interact with AMFs to provide ciphering key data information to the AMF as described in greater detail in TS 23.273
[35].
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Release 16 24 3GPP TS 38.305 V16.10.0 (2020-073)
For positioning of a target UE, the LMF decides on the position methods to be used, based on factors that may include
the LCS Client type, the required QoS, UE positioning capabilities, gNB positioning capabilities and ng-eNB
positioning capabilities. The LMF then invokes these positioning methods in the UE, serving gNB and/or serving
ng-eNB. The positioning methods may yield a location estimate for UE-based position methods and/or positioning
measurements for UE-assisted and network-based position methods. The LMF may combine all the received results and
determine a single location estimate for the target UE (hybrid positioning). Additional information like accuracy of the
location estimate and velocity may also be determined.
For gNB related positioning procedures, the NG-C interface transparently transports both positioning requests from the
LMF to the gNB and positioning results from the gNB to the LMF.
For ng-eNB related positioning procedures, the NG-C interface transparently transports both positioning requests from
the LMF to the ng-eNB and positioning results from the ng-eNB to the LMF.
For delivery of broadcast assistance data information, the NG-C interface transparently transports both the assistance
data information from the LMF to the NG-RAN node for broadcasting and the feedback information on assistance
information broadcasting from the NG-RAN node to the LMF. The NG-C interface is also used by an AMF to
transparently transport ciphering keys via NG-RAN node to UEs using a NAS message. The ciphering keys are used to
decipher broadcast assistance data information, if the broadcast assistance data information is ciphered.
6.1.6 F1 interface
The F1 interface is used to support the exchange of positioning information between the gNB-DU and the gNB-CU; it is
also used as a transport link for the LPP.
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Release 16 25 3GPP TS 38.305 V16.10.0 (2020-073)
LPP messages are carried as transparent PDUs across intermediate network interfaces using the appropriate protocols
(e.g., NGAP over the NG-C interface, NAS/RRC over the LTE-Uu and NR-Uu interfaces). The LPP protocol is
intended to enable positioning for NR and LTE using a multiplicity of different position methods, while isolating the
details of any particular positioning method and the specifics of the underlying transport from one another.
The protocol operates on a transaction basis between a target device and a server, with each transaction taking place as
an independent procedure. More than one such procedure may be in progress at any given moment. An LPP procedure
may involve a request/response pairing of messages or one or more "unsolicited" messages. Each procedure has a single
objective (e.g., transfer of assistance data, exchange of LPP related capabilities, or positioning of a target device
according to some QoS and use of one or more positioning methods). Multiple procedures, in series and/or in parallel,
can be used to achieve more complex objectives (e.g., positioning of a target device in association with transfer of
assistance data and exchange of LPP related capabilities). Multiple procedures also enable more than one positioning
attempt to be ongoing at the same time (e.g., to obtain a coarse location estimate with low delay while a more accurate
location estimate is being obtained with higher delay).
An LPP session is defined between a positioning server and the target device, the details of its relation with transactions
are described in clause 4.1.2 of TS 36.355 [19].
For the 3GPP 5GS Control Plane solution defined in TS 23.501 [2], and TS 23.502 [26] and TS 23.273 [35], the UE is
the target device and the LMF is the server. For SUPL 2.0 support, the SUPL Enabled Terminal (SET) is the target
device and the SUPL Location Platform (SLP) is the server. The operations controlled through LPP are described
further in clause 7.1.
LPP defined data structures for assistance data information are reused for supporting RRC broadcast of assistance data
information which are embedded in positioning SIBs. This enables broadcast assistance data using the same data
structures which are used for point to point location.
In addition to providing transport for LPP messages over the NR-Uu interface, it supports transfer of measurements that
may be used for positioning purposes through the existing measurement systems specified in TS 38.331 [14].
The RRC protocol for NR also supports broadcasting of assistance data via positioning System Information messages.
The RRC protocol for NR is also used to configure UEs with a sounding reference signal (SRS) to support NG-RAN
measurements for NR positioning.
The RRC protocol for LTE also supports broadcasting of assistance data via positioning System Information messages.
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Release 16 26 3GPP TS 38.305 V16.10.0 (2020-073)
- E-CID for E-UTRA where measurements are transferred from the ng-eNB to the LMF.
- Data collection from ng-eNB's for support of OTDOA positioning for E-UTRA.
- Cell-ID and Cell Portion ID retrieval from gNB's for support of NR Cell ID positioning method.
- Exchange of information between LMF and NG-RAN node for the purpose of assistance data broadcasting.
- NR Multi-RTT where measurements are transferred from the gNB to the LMF.
- NR UL-AoA where measurements are transferred from the gNB to the LMF.
- NR UL-TDOA where measurements are transferred from the gNB to the LMF.
- Data collection from gNBs for support of DL-TDOA, DL-AoD, Multi-RTT, UL-TDOA, UL-AoA.
The NRPPa protocol is transparent to the AMF. The AMF routes the NRPPa PDUs transparently based on a Routing ID
corresponding to the involved LMF over NG-C interface without knowledge of the involved NRPPa transaction. It
carries the NRPPa PDUs over NG-C interface either in UE associated mode or non-UE associated mode.
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Release 16 27 3GPP TS 38.305 V16.10.0 (2020-073)
LPP LPP
Relay
NAS NAS
Relay HTTP/2 HTTP/2
RRC RRC NGAP NGAP
TLS TLS
PDCP PDCP SCTP SCTP
TCP TCP
RLC RLC IP IP IP IP
MAC MAC L2 L2 L2 L2
L1 L1 L1 L1 L1 L1
NR-Uu NG-C NL1
UE LTE-Uu NG RAN AMF LMF
LPP LPP
Relay
NAS NAS
Relay HTTP/2 HTTP/2
RRC RRC NGAP NGAP
TLS TLS
PDCP PDCP SCTP SCTP
TCP TCP
RLC RLC IP IP IP IP
MAC MAC L2 L2 L2 L2
L1 L1 L1 L1 L1 L1
NR-Uu NG-C NLs
UE LTE-Uu NG RAN AMF LMF
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Release 16 28 3GPP TS 38.305 V16.10.0 (2020-073)
NG-RAN
UE AMF LMF
Node
1. Namf_Communication_N1N2MessageTransfer
(LPP PDU)
2. Network Triggered Service Request
NG-RAN
UE AMF LMF
Node
Figure 6.4.2-1: LPP PDU transfer between LMF and UE (network- and UE-triggered cases)
1. Steps 1 to 4 may occur before, after, or at the same time as steps 5 to 8. Steps 1 to 4 and steps 5 to 8 may also be
repeated. Steps 1 to 4 are triggered when the LMF needs to send an LPP message to the UE as part of some LPP
positioning activity. The LMF then invokes the Namf_Communication _N1N2MessageTransfer service
operation towards the AMF to request the transfer of a LPP PDU to the UE. The service operation includes the
LPP PDU together with the LCS Correlation ID in the N1 Message Container as defined in TS 29.518 [29].
2. If the UE is in CM-IDLE state (e.g. if the NG connection was previously released due to data and signalling
inactivity), the AMF initiates a network triggered service request as defined in TS 23.502 [26] in order to
establish a signalling connection with the UE and assign a serving NG-RAN node.
3. The AMF includes the LPP PDU in the payload container of a DL NAS Transport message, and a Routing
Identifier identifying the LMF in the Additional Information of the DL NAS Transport message defined in TS
24.501 [29]. The AMF then sends the DL NAS Transport message to the serving NG-RAN Node in an NGAP
Downlink NAS Transport message defined in TS 38.413 [30]. The AMF need not retain state information for
this transfer; it can treat any response in step 7 as a separate non-associated transfer.
4. The NG-RAN Node forwards the DL NAS Transport message to the UE in an RRC DL Information Transfer
message.
5. Steps 5 to 8 are triggered when the UE needs to send an LPP PDU to the LMF as part of some LPP positioning
activity. If the UE is in CM-IDLE state, the UE instigates a UE triggered service request as defined in TS 23.502
[26] in order to establish a signalling connection with the AMF and assign a serving NG-RAN node.
6. The UE includes the LPP PDU in the payload container of an UL NAS Transport message, and the Routing
Identifier, which has been received in step 4, in the Additional Information of the UL NAS Transport message
defined in TS 24.501 [29]. The UE then sends the UL NAS Transport message to the serving NG-RAN node in
an RRC UL Information Transfer message.
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Release 16 29 3GPP TS 38.305 V16.10.0 (2020-073)
7. The NG-RAN node forwards the UL NAS Transport Message to the AMF in an NGAP Uplink NAS Transport
message.
8. The AMF invokes the Namf_Communication_N1MessageNotify service operation towards the LMF indicated
by the Routing Identifier received in step 7. The service operation includes the LPP PDU received in step 7
together with the LCS Correlation ID in the N1 Message Container as defined in TS 29.518 [28].
The NRPPa protocol is transparent to the AMF. The AMF routes the NRPPa PDUs transparently based on a Routing ID
which corresponds to the involved LMF node over the NG interface without knowledge of the involved NRPPa
transaction. It carries the NRPPa PDUs over NG interface either in UE associated mode or non-UE associated mode.
NRPPa NRPPa
L2 L2 L2 L2
L1 L1 L1 L1
NG-C NL1
NG RAN AMF LMF
NRPPa NRPPa
L2 L2 L2 L2
L1 L1 L1 L1
NG-C NLs
NG RAN AMF LMF
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Release 16 30 3GPP TS 38.305 V16.10.0 (2020-073)
NG-RAN
UE AMF LMF
Node
1. Namf_Communication_N1N2MessageTransfer
(NRPPa PDU)
2. Network Triggered Service Request
Figure 6.5.2-1: NRPPa PDU Transfer between an LMF and NG-RAN node for UE Positioning
1. Steps 1 to 3 are triggered when the LMF needs to send an NRPPa message to the serving NG-RAN Node for a
target UE as part of a NRPPa positioning activity. The LMF then invokes the
Namf_Communication_N1N2MessageTransfer service operation towards the AMF to request the transfer of a
NRPPa PDU to the serving NG-RAN Node for the UE. The service operation includes the NRPPa PDU together
with the LCS Correlation ID in the N2 Message Container as defined in TS 29.518 [28].
2. If the UE is in CM-IDLE state (e.g. if the NG connection was previously released due to data and signalling
inactivity), the AMF performs a network triggered service request as defined in TS 23.502 [26] in order to
establish a signalling connection with the UE and assign a serving NG-RAN Node.
3. The AMF forwards the NRPPa PDU to the serving NG-RAN Node in an NGAP Downlink UE Associated
NRPPa Transport message over the NG signalling connection corresponding to the UE and includes the Routing
ID related to the LMF. The AMF need not retain state information for this transfer – e.g. can treat any response
in step 4 as a separate non-associated transfer.
4. Steps 4 and 5 are triggered when a serving NG-RAN Node needs to send an NRPPa message to the LMF for a
target UE as part of an NRPPa positioning activity. The NG-RAN Node then sends an NRPPa PDU to the AMF
in an NGAP Uplink UE Associated NRPPa Transport message and includes the Routing ID received in step 3.
5. The AMF invokes the Namf_Communication_N2InfoNotify service operation towards the LMF indicated by the
Routing ID received in step 4. The service operation includes the NRPPa PDU received in step 4 together with
the LCS Correlation ID in the N2 Info Container as defined in TS 29.518 [28]. Steps 1 to 5 may be repeated.
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Release 16 31 3GPP TS 38.305 V16.10.0 (2020-073)
NG-RAN
TP/TRP TP/TRP AMF LMF
Node
NG-RAN
TP/TRP TP/TRP AMF LMF
Node
Figure 6.5.3-1: NRPPa PDU Transfer between an LMF and NG-RAN for obtaining NG-RAN Data
0. An ng-eNB in the NG-RAN may communicate with several TPs (including PRS-only TPs in case of PRS-based
TBS is supported) to configure TPs, obtain TP configuration information, etc.
A gNB in the NG-RAN may communicate with several TRPs (including PRS-only TPs) to configure TRPs,
obtain TRP configuration information, etc.
NOTE: NG-RAN–TP/TPR signalling and configuration is outside the scope of this specification.
1. Steps 1 and 2 are triggered when the LMF needs to send an NRPPa message to an NG-RAN Node to obtain data
related to the NG-RAN Node, and possibly associated TPs. The LMF invokes the
Namf_Communication_NonUeN2MessageTransfer Namf_Communication_N1N2MessageTransfer service
operation towards the AMF to request the transfer of a NRPPa PDU to a NG-RAN node (gNB or ng-eNB) in the
NG-RAN. The service operation includes the target NG-RAN node identity and the NRPPa PDU in the N2
Information Container as defined in TS 29.518 [28].
2. The AMF forwards the NRPPa PDU to the identified NG-RAN Node in an NGAP Downlink Non UE
Associated NRPPa Transport message and includes a Routing ID identifying the LMF. The AMF need not retain
state information for this transfer – e.g. can treat any response in step 3 as a separate non-associated transfer.
3. Steps 3 and 4 are triggered when an NG-RAN Node needs to send an NRPPa PDU to an LMF containing data
applicable to the NG-RAN Node, and possibly associated TPs. The NG-RAN Node then sends an NRPPa PDU
to the AMF in an NGAP Uplink Non UE Associated NRPPa Transport message and includes the Routing ID
received in step 2.
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Release 16 32 3GPP TS 38.305 V16.10.0 (2020-073)
NG-RAN
AMF LMF
Node
1. Namf_Communication_NonUeN2MessageTransfer
(NRPPa PDU)
NG-RAN
AMF LMF
Node
1. Namf_Communication_N1N2MessageTransfer
(NRPPa PDU)
Figure 6.5.4-1: NRPPa PDU Transfer between an LMF and NG-RAN Node for providing assistance
information for broadcasting.
1. Step 1 is triggered when the LMF needs to send new or updated assistance information to an NG-RAN node for
broadcasting in positioning system information messages. The LMF invokes the
Namf_Communication_NonUeN2MessageTransferNamf_Communication_N1N2MessageTransfer service
operation towards the AMF to request the transfer of a NRPPa PDU to a NG-RAN node (gNB or ng-eNB) in the
NG-RAN. The service operation includes the target NG-RAN node identity and the NRPPa PDU in the N2
Information Container as defined in TS 29.518 [28].
2. The AMF forwards the NRPPa PDU to the identified NG-RAN node in an NGAP Downlink Non UE Associated
NRPPa Transport message and includes the Routing ID identifying the LMF. The AMF need not retain state
information for this transfer.
Figure 6.5.4-2 shows NRPPa PDU transfer between an NG-RAN node and LMF for providing feedback to the LMF on
assistance data broadcasting.
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Release 16 33 3GPP TS 38.305 V16.10.0 (2020-073)
NG-RAN
AMF LMF
Node
2. Namf_Communication_NonUeN2InfoNotify
(NRPPa PDU)
NG-RAN
AMF LMF
Node
2. Namf_Communication_N2InfoNotify
(NRPPa PDU)
Figure 6.5.4-2: NRPPa PDU Transfer between an NG-RAN node and LMF for providing feedback on
assistance data broadcasting.
1. Step 1 is triggered when an NG-RAN node needs to send an NRPPa PDU to an LMF for providing feedback on
assistance data broadcasting. Step 1 may only be triggered if the procedure in Figure 6.5.4-1 has already been
performed. The NG-RAN node sends an NRPPa PDU to the AMF in an NGAP Uplink Non UE Associated
NRPPa Transport message. The NG-RAN node includes the previously received Routing ID related to the LMF
(Figure 6.5.4-1).
6.6 Void
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Release 16 34 3GPP TS 38.305 V16.10.0 (2020-073)
- Error handling;
- Abort.
Parallel transactions are permitted (i.e. a new LPP transaction may be initiated, while another one is outstanding).
As described in clause 6.2.1, the protocol operates between a "target" and a "server". In the control-plane context, these
entities are the UE and LMF respectively; in the SUPL context they are the SET and the SLP. A procedure may be
initiated by either the target or the server.
Despite the flexibility allowed by LPP, it is expected that procedures will normally occur in the following order:
1. Capability Transfer;
7.1.2.7 Abort
The abort procedure is specified in clause 7.1.2.7 of TS 36.305 [25].
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Release 16 35 3GPP TS 38.305 V16.10.0 (2020-073)
- UE associated procedure, i.e. transfer of information for a particular UE (e.g. positioning measurements);
- Non UE associated procedure, i.e. transfer of information applicable to the NG-RAN node and associated TRPs
(e.g. gNB/ng-eNB/TRP timing information).
Parallel transactions between the same LMF and NG-RAN node are supported; i.e. a pair of LMF and NG-RAN node
may have more than one instance of an NRPPa procedure in execution at the same time.
For possible extensibility, the protocol is considered to operate between a generic "access node" (e.g. gNB, ng-eNB)
and a "server" (e.g. LMF). A procedure is only initiated by the server.
Figure 7.2.1-1 shows a single NRPPa transaction. The transaction is terminated in step 2 in the case of a non UE
associated procedure. For a UE associated procedure to gather information concerning the access node, additional
responses may be allowed (e.g. sending of updated information periodically and/or whenever there is some significant
change). In this case, the transaction may be ended after some additional responses. In the NRPPa protocol, the
described transaction may be realized by the execution of one procedure defined as a request and a response, followed
by one or several procedures initiated by the NG-RAN node (each procedure defined as a single message) to realize the
additional responses. The Correlation ID, as specified in TS 29.572 [33], included by the LMF when it invokes the
Namf_Communication_N1N2MessageTransfer AMF service operation to transfer the NRPPa PDU may be used by the
LMF to identify the target UE positioning session.
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Release 16 36 3GPP TS 38.305 V16.10.0 (2020-073)
NG-RAN
Server
Node
1. The server sends a request for location related information to the NG-RAN node, and indicates the type of
location information needed and associated QoS. The request may refer to a particular UE.
2. In response to step 1, the NG-RAN Node transfers location related information to the server. The location related
information transferred should match the location related information requested in step 1.
3. If requested in step 1, the NG-RAN node may transfer additional location related information to the server in one
or more additional NRPPa messages when the positioning method is E-CID for E-UTRA.
1. Location Request
2. LPP Transaction(s)
3. NRPPa Transaction(s)
4. Location Response
1. The AMF sends a location request to the LMF for a target UE and may include associated QoS.
2. The LMF may obtain location related information from the UE and/or from the serving NG-RAN Node. In the
former case, the LMF instigates one or more LPP procedures to transfer UE positioning capabilities, provide
assistance data to the UE and/or obtain location information from the UE. The UE may also instigate one or
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Release 16 37 3GPP TS 38.305 V16.10.0 (2020-073)
more LPP procedures after the first LPP message is received from the LMF (e.g., to request assistance data from
the LMF).
3. If the LMF needs location related information for the UE from the NG-RAN, the LMF instigates one or more
NRPPa procedures. Step 3 is not necessarily serialised with step 2; if the LMF and NG-RAN Node have the
information to determine what procedures need to take place for the location service, step 3 could precede or
overlap with step 2.
4. The LMF returns a location response to the AMF with any location estimate obtained as a result of steps 2 and 3.
1. MO-LR Request
(LPP PDU) 2. Location Request
(LPP PDU)
3. LPP Procedures
4. NRPPa procedures
5. Location Response
(LPP PDU)
6. Transfer to 3rd
Party
7. MO-LR Response
(LPP PDU)
1. The UE sends an MO-LR Request included in a UL NAS TRANSPORT message as specified in TS 24.501 [29]
to the AMF. The MO-LR request may carry an LPP PDU to instigate one or more LPP procedures to transfer
capabilities, request assistance data, request location information and/or transfer location information.
2. The AMF invokes the Nlmf Determine Location Request service operation towards the LMF as specified in TS
29.572 [33] and includes any LPP PDU received in step 1.
3. The LMF may obtain location related information from the UE and/or from the serving NG-RAN node. In the
former case or if an immediate response is needed to any LPP procedure instigated by the UE in step 1 (e.g., a
request for assistance data), the LMF instigates one or more LPP procedures to transfer UE positioning
capabilities, provide assistance data to the UE and/or obtain location information from the UE. The UE may also
instigate further LPP procedures after the first LPP message is received from the LMF (e.g., to request assistance
data or to request further assistance data).
4. If the LMF needs location related information for the UE from the NG-RAN, the LMF instigates one or more
NRPPa procedures. Step 4 may also precede step 3 or occur in parallel with it.
5. The LMF invokes the Nlmf Determine Location Response service operation towards the AMF as specified in TS
29.572 [33] which includes any location estimate obtained as a result of steps 3 and 4, and/or with a final LPP
message (e.g., that could provide a location estimate to the UE if requested by the UE in step 1).
6. If the UE requested location transfer to a third party the AMF transfers the location received from the LMF in
step 5 to the third party as defined in TS 23.273 [35].
7. The AMF sends an MO-LR Response included in a DL NAS TRANSPORT message as specified in TS 24.501
[33], carrying any final LPP PDU that was received in step 5.
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Release 16 38 3GPP TS 38.305 V16.10.0 (2020-073)
UE gNB
Precondition: The UE served by a gNB has received a LPP message from an LMF requesting inter-RAT RSTD
measurements for OTDOA positioning.
1. If the UE requires measurement gaps for performing the requested location measurements while measurement
gaps are either not configured or not sufficient, or if the UE needs gaps to acquire the subframe and slot timing
of the target E-UTRA system before requesting measurement gaps for the inter-RAT RSTD measurements (see
TS 38.133 [32], the UE sends an RRC Location Measurement Indication message to the serving gNB. The
message indicates that the UE is going to start location measurements, or that the UE is going to acquire
subframe and slot timing of the target E-UTRA system, and includes information required for the gNB to
configure the appropriate measurement gaps. When the gNB has configured the required measurement gaps the
UE performs the location measurements or timing acquisition procedures.
2. When the UE has completed the location procedures which required measurement gaps, the UE sends another
RRC Location Measurement Indication message to the serving gNB. The message indicates that the UE has
completed the location measurements or timing acquisition procedures.
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Release 16 39 3GPP TS 38.305 V16.10.0 (2020-073)
UE ng-eNB
Precondition: The UE served by an ng-eNB has received a LPP message from an LMF requesting
inter-frequency RSTD measurements for OTDOA positioning.
1. If the UE requires measurement gaps for performing the requested inter-frequency RSTD measurements for
OTDOA positioning while measurement gaps are either not configured or not sufficient, the UE sends an RRC
Inter-frequency RSTD Measurement Indication message to the serving ng-eNB. The message indicates that the
UE is going to start inter-frequency RSTD measurements and includes information required for the ng-eNB to
configure the appropriate measurement gaps. When the ng-eNB has configured the required measurement gaps
the UE performs the inter-frequency RSTD measurements.
2. When the UE has completed the inter-frequency RSTD measurements which required measurement gaps, the UE
sends another RRC Inter-frequency RSTD Measurement Indication message to the serving ng-eNB. The
message indicates that the UE has completed the inter-frequency RSTD measurements.
The UE may request posSI by means of on-demand SI request in RRC_IDLE/RRC_INACTIVE and also request
posSIBs by means of on-demand SI request in RRC_ CONNECTED as described in TS 38.331 [14].
For each assistance data element, a separate posSIB-type is defined in TS 36.355 [19]. Each posSIB may be ciphered by
the LMF using the 128-bit Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) algorithm (with counter mode) as described in TS
36.355 [19], either with the same or different ciphering key. The posSIBs which exceed the maximum size limit defined
in TS 36.331 [13], TS 38.331 [14] shall be segmented by the LMF.
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Release 16 40 3GPP TS 38.305 V16.10.0 (2020-073)
NG-RAN
UE AMF LMF
Node
3. Nlmf_Broadcast_CipheringKeyData Notify
(Ciphering Keys)
1. The LMF sends an NRPPa Assistance Information Control message to the NG-RAN node with an indication to
start broadcasting assistance information. The message includes one or more System Information groups, where
each group contains the broadcast periodicity and one or more posSIB types together with meta data to be
scheduled in the same SI message. Each posSIB type may be ciphered and/or segmented at the LMF. The meta
data may include an indication whether the posSIB type in the System Information group is ciphered or not, as
well as an indication of an applicable GNSS type.
2. The NG-RAN node includes the received System Information groups in RRC System Information Messages and
corresponding scheduling information in SIB1 as described in TS 36.331 [13], TS 38.331 [14]. The UE applies
the system information acquisition procedure according to TS 36.331 [13], TS 38.331 [14] for acquiring the
assistance data information that is broadcasted.
3. If the posSIB types were ciphered by the LMF, the LMF invokes the Nlmf_Broadcast_CipheringKeyData Notify
service operation towards the AMF carrying one or more ciphering keys. For each ciphering key, the LMF
includes a ciphering key value, a ciphering key identifier, a validity period, a set of applicable tracking areas, and
a set of applicable posSIB types. The AMF may then distribute successfully stored ciphering keys and their
validity times and validity areas to suitably subscribed UEs using a mobility management message as described
in TS 23.273 [35]. The LMF repeats this procedure whenever a ciphering key changes.
4. At any time after Step 1, the NG-RAN node may send a NRPPa Assistance Information Feedback message to the
LMF providing feedback on assistance information broadcasting. The message may include an assistance
information failure list indicating that certain posSIB types could not be configured for broadcasting by the NG-
RAN node.
5. If the assistance information in a System Information group changes, the LMF provides updated information in a
NRPPa Assistance Information Control message.
6. The NG-RAN node replaces the previously stored System Information groups with the new information received
at Step 5 and includes the new System Information groups in RRC System Information Messages.
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Release 16 41 3GPP TS 38.305 V16.10.0 (2020-073)
7. If the LMF wants to abort the broadcast of a System Information Group, it sends a NRPPa Assistance
Information Control message to the NG-RAN node including an indication to stop broadcasting the assistance
information.
By definition, GNSS refers to satellite constellations that achieve global coverage, however, in 3GPP specifications the
term GNSS is used to encompass global, regional, and augmentation satellite systems. The following GNSSs are
supported in this version of the specification:
- Satellite Based Augmentation Systems (SBAS), including WAAS, EGNOS, MSAS, and GAGAN [11]; (regional
coverage)
Each global GNSS can be used individually or in combination with others, including regional navigation systems and
augmentation systems. When used in combination, the effective number of navigation satellite signals would be
increased:
- extra satellites can improve availability (of satellites at a particular location) and results in an improved ability to
work in areas where satellite signals can be obscured, such as in urban canyons;
- extra satellites and signals can improve reliability, i.e., with extra measurements the data redundancy is
increased, which helps identify any measurement outlier problems;
- extra satellites and signals can improve accuracy due to improved measurement geometry and improved ranging
signals from modernized satellites.
When GNSS is designed to inter-work with the NG-RAN, the network assists the UE GNSS receiver to improve the
performance in several respects. These performance improvements will:
- reduce the UE GNSS start-up and acquisition times; the search window can be limited and the measurements
speed up significantly;
- increase the UE GNSS sensitivity; positioning assistance messages are obtained via NG-RAN so the UE GNSS
receiver can operate also in low SNR situations when it is unable to demodulate GNSS satellite signals;
- allow the UE to consume less handset power than with stand-alone GNSS; this is due to rapid start-up times as
the GNSS receiver can be in idle mode when it is not needed;
- allow the UE to compute its position with a better accuracy; RTK corrections (for N-RTK) and GNSS physical
models (for SSR/PPP) are obtained via NG-RAN so the UE can use these assistance data, together with its own
measurements, i.e., code and carrier phase measurements, to enable computation of a position with a high
accuracy.
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The network-assisted GNSS methods rely on signalling between UE GNSS receivers (possibly with reduced
complexity) and a continuously operating GNSS reference receiver network, which has clear sky visibility of the same
GNSS constellation as the assisted UEs. Two assisted modes are supported:
- UE-Assisted: The UE performs GNSS measurements (pseudo-ranges, pseudo Doppler, carrier phase ranges, etc.)
and sends these measurements to the LMF where the position calculation takes place, possibly using additional
measurements from other (non GNSS) sources;
- UE-Based: The UE performs GNSS measurements and calculates its own location, possibly using additional
measurements from other (non GNSS) sources and assistance data from the LMF.
The assistance data content may vary depending on whether the UE operates in UE-Assisted or UE-Based mode.
- data assisting the measurements: e.g. reference time, visible satellite list, satellite signal Doppler, code phase,
Doppler and code phase search windows;
- data providing means for position calculation: e.g. reference time, reference position, satellite ephemeris, clock
corrections, code and carrier phase measurements from a GNSS reference receiver or network of receivers;
- data increasing the position accuracy: e.g. satellite code biases, satellite orbit corrections, satellite clock
corrections, atmospheric models, RTK residuals, gradients.
A UE with GNSS measurement capability may also operate in an autonomous (standalone) mode. In autonomous mode
the UE determines its position based on signals received from GNSS without assistance from the network.
NOTE: The provision of these assistance data elements and the usage of these elements by the UE depend on the
NG-RAN/5GC and UE capabilities, respectively.
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Assistance Data
Reference Time
Reference Location
Ionospheric Models
Earth Orientation Parameters
GNSS-GNSS Time Offsets
Differential GNSS Corrections
Ephemeris and Clock Models
Real-Time Integrity
Data Bit Assistance
Acquisition Assistance
Almanac
UTC Models
RTK Reference Station Information
RTK Auxiliary Station Data
RTK Observations
RTK Common Observation Information
GLONASS RTK Bias Information
RTK MAC Correction Differences
RTK Residuals
RTK FKP Gradients
SSR Orbit Corrections
SSR Clock Corrections
SSR Code Bias
SSR Phase Bias
SSR STEC Corrections
SSR Gridded Correction
SSR URA
SSR Correction Points
In case of coarse time assistance only, the Reference Time provides an estimate of the current GNSS system time
(where the specific GNSS is indicated by a GNSS ID). The LMF should achieve an accuracy of ±3 seconds for this time
including allowing for the transmission delay between LMF and UE.
In case of fine time assistance, the Reference Time provides the relation between GNSS system time (where the specific
GNSS is indicated by a GNSS ID) and NG-RAN air-interface timing.
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8.1.2.1.11 Almanac
Almanac assistance provides the GNSS receiver with parameters to calculate the coarse (long-term) GNSS satellite
position and clock offsets. The various GNSSs use different model parameters and formats, and all parameter formats as
defined by the individual GNSSs are supported by the signalling.
NOTE: With the MAC N-RTK technique this assistance data is used to provide information regarding the Master
Reference Station (see clause 8.1.2.1a).
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The pseudo-range is the distance between the satellite and GNSS receiver antennas, expressed in metres, equivalent to
the difference of the time of reception (expressed in the time frame of the GNSS receiver) and the time of transmission
(expressed in the time frame of the satellite) of a distinct satellite signal.
The phase-range measurement is a measurement of the range between a satellite and receiver expressed in units of
cycles of the carrier frequency. This measurement is more precise than the pseudo-range (of the order of millimetres),
but it is ambiguous by an unknown integer number of wavelengths.
The phase-range rate is the rate at which the phase-range between a satellite and a GNSS receiver changes over a
particular period of time.
The carrier-to-noise ratio is the ratio of the received modulated carrier signal power to the noise power after the GNSS
receiver filters.
NOTE: With the MAC N-RTK technique this assistance data is used to provide raw observables recorded at the
Master Reference Station (see clause 8.1.2.1a).
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NOTE 1: On the UE side, phase bias corrections of appropriate type are needed to restore the integer nature of the
phase ambiguities in PPP-RTK. Their absence will affect the quality of the positioning solution and
prevent a fast convergence time.
NOTE 2: PPP-RTK Fixed position mode corresponds to the UE fixing the carrier phase ambiguity to an integer
value. The PPP-RTK Widelane Fixed positioning mode corresponds to forming the widelane combination
of carrier phase measurements and fixing the resulting ambiguity as an integer value. In PPP-RTK Float
positioning mode the carrier phase ambiguity is not treated as an integer value.
NOTE: The final ionosphere slant delay (STEC) consists of the polynomial part provided in SSR STEC
Correction and the residual part provided in SSR Gridded Corrections.
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- Single base RTK service: RTK is a technique that uses carrier-based ranging measurements i.e., phase-range to
improve the positioning accuracy in a differential approach. The basic concept is to reduce and remove errors
common to a Reference Station, with known position, and UE pair. When only pseudo ranges (code-based
measurements) are used to compute the UE location, this method is known as DGNSS (Differential GNSS).
Table 8.1.2.1a-1: Single base RTK service: Specific information that may be transferred from the LMF
to the UE
Assistance Data
RTK Reference Station Information
RTK Observations
RTK Common Observation Information
GLONASS RTK Bias Information (if
GLONASS data is transmitted)
Ephemeris and Clock (if UE did not
acquire the navigation message)
- Non-Physical Reference Station Network RTK service: In this approach the target UE receives synthetic
observations from a fictitious Reference Station. The Network RTK software at the location server is performing
the error estimation and creates a virtual Reference Station close to the initial location of the target device
(provided a priori to the location server). The target UE interprets and uses the data just as if it had come from a
single, real Reference Station. Additionally, the target UE can also receive network information such as RTK
Network Residuals (see clause 8.1.2.1.19) or even FKP gradients (see clause 8.1.2.1.20).
Table 8.1.2.1a-2: Non-Physical Reference Station Network RTK service: Specific information that may
be transferred from the LMF to the UE
Assistance Data
RTK Reference Station Information
RTK Observations
RTK Common Observation Information
GLONASS RTK Bias Information (if
GLONASS data is transmitted)
RTK Residuals
RTK FKP Gradients
Ephemeris and Clock (if UE did not
acquire the navigation message)
- MAC Network RTK service: In MAC network RTK, a group of Reference Stations are used and one of them is
chosen as a Master station. The other stations are then called Auxiliary stations. In this service, the location
server sends full raw observations and coordinate information for a single Reference Station, the Master Station.
For all auxiliary stations in the network (or a suitable subset of stations) the information is provided to the UE in
a highly compact form: their reduced ambiguity-levelled observations, coordinate differences (to the Master
Station observations and coordinates), and network residuals. Two Reference Stations are said to be on a
common ambiguity level if the integer ambiguities for each phase range (satellite-receiver pair) have been
removed (or adjusted) so that the integer ambiguities cancel when double-differences (involving two receivers
and two satellites) are formed during processing. The maintenance of a common ambiguity level at a specific set
of stations rather than across the whole GNSS network will lead to a grouping in network clusters or
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subnetworks of all ambiguity-levelled Reference Stations. If one network has only one subnetwork, this indicates
that an ambiguity level throughout the whole network is established. When subnetworks are predefined, the
assistance data can be broadcast to all UEs located in the assigned sub-network. More details on the usage of
subnetworks can be found in [31].
Table 8.1.2.1a-3: MAC Network RTK service: Specific Information that may be transferred from the
LMF to the UE
Assistance Data
RTK Reference Station Information
RTK Auxiliary Station Data
RTK Observations
RTK Common Observation Information
GLONASS RTK Bias Information (if
GLONASS data is transmitted)
RTK MAC Correction Differences
RTK Residuals
Ephemeris and Clock (if UE did not
acquire the navigation message)
- FKP Network RTK service: With the concept of FKP, horizontal gradients of distance-dependent errors like
ionosphere, troposphere and orbits are derived from a network of GNSS Reference Stations and transmitted to a
target device together with raw or correction data of a corresponding Reference Station (physical or non
physical). The target UE may use the gradients to compute the effect of the distance-dependent errors for its own
position.
Table 8.1.2.1a-4: FKP Network RTK service: Information that may be transferred from the LMF to the
UE
Assistance Data
RTK Reference Station Information
RTK Observations
RTK Common Observation Information
GLONASS RTK Bias Information (if
GLONASS data is transmitted)
RTK Residuals
RTK FKP Gradients
Ephemeris and Clock (if UE did not
acquire the navigation message)
- PPP service: This concept uses precise satellite orbit and clock parameters derived from global networks of
Reference Stations as well as atmospheric models to perform single station positioning [31]. Compared to RTK
and Network RTK, PPP is not a differential technique as there is no baseline limitation. When the orbits and
clocks assistance data elements are provided in real-time, with no latency, the method is called Real-Time PPP.
Table 8.1.2.1a-5: SSR PPP service: Information that may be transferred from the LMF to the UE
Assistance Data
SSR Orbit Corrections
SSR Clock corrections
SSR Code Bias
Ephemeris and Clock (if UE did not
acquire the navigation message)
- PPP-RTK service: This concept uses precise satellite orbits and clock parameters, the satellite signal biases
derived from global networks of Reference Stations as well as ionosphere and troposphere corrections to perform
single station positioning IS-QZSS-L6-001 [36]. Therefore, PPP-RTK services compensate the global and local
corrections for a more accurate location information. Compared to PPP, PPP-RTK requires the UE to be located
within the region covered by the ionosphere and troposphere corrections.
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Table 8.1.2.1a-6: SSR PPP-RTK service: Information that may be transferred from the LMF to the UE
Assistance Data
SSR Orbit Corrections
SSR Clock corrections
SSR Code Bias
Ephemeris and Clock (if UE did not
acquire the navigation message)
SSR Phase Bias
SSR STEC Corrections
SSR Gridded Correction
SSR URA
SSR Correction Points
8.1.2.2.1.1UE-based mode
In UE-based or standalone mode, the GNSS receiver reports the latitude, longitude and possibly altitude, together with
an estimate of the location uncertainty, if available.
If requested by the LMF and supported by the UE, the GNSS receiver may report its velocity, possibly together with an
estimate of the uncertainty, if available.
If requested by the LMF and supported by the UE, the GNSS receiver may report the relation between GNSS system
time (where the specific GNSS is indicated by a GNSS ID; the specific GNSS system time may be selected by the UE)
and NG-RAN air-interface timing. This information may be used by the LMF to assist other UEs in the network.
The UE should also report an indication of which GNSSs and possibly other location methods have been used to
calculate a fix.
8.1.2.2.1.2UE-assisted mode
In UE-assisted mode, the GNSS receiver reports the Code Phase and Doppler measurements together with associated
quality estimates. These measurements enable the LMF to calculate the location of the UE, possibly using other
measurements and data.
If requested by the LMF and supported by the UE, the GNSS receiver may report Carrier Phase measurements (also
called Accumulated Delta Range), together with associated quality measurements, if available.
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If requested by the LMF and supported by the UE, the GNSS receiver may report the relation between GNSS system
time (where the specific GNSS is indicated by a GNSS ID; the specific GNSS system time may be selected by the UE)
and NG-RAN air-interface timing. This information may be used by the LMF to assist other UEs in the network.
UE LMF
(1) The LMF determines that assistance data needs to be provided to the UE (e.g., as part of a positioning procedure)
and sends an LPP Provide Assistance Data message to the UE. This message may include any of the GNSS
assistance data defined in clause 8.1.2.1.
NOTE: In this version of the specification, periodic assistance data delivery is supported for HA GNSS (e.g.,
RTK) positioning only.
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UE LMF
Transaction
Control
1. LPP Provide Assistance Data
Transaction
Data
3. LPP Provide Assistance Data
(1) The LMF determines that assistance data needs to be provided to the UE and sends an LPP Provide Assistance
Data message to the UE. This message includes information to identify the type of periodic assistance data and a
duration for ending the assistance data delivery. The message indicates the end of the control transaction.
(2) When the first periodic message is available, the LMF sends an unsolicited LPP Provide Assistance Data
message to the UE containing the periodic assistance data announced in step (1).
(3) The LMF may continue to send further LPP Provide Assistance Data messages to the target containing the
periodic assistance data announced in step (1) when each additional periodicity condition occurs. When the
duration for ending the periodic assistance data transfer occurs, the last LPP Provide Assistance Data message
transferred indicates the end of transaction. Additionally, the session can be ended on request by the UE or by
the LMF with the help of an Abort message.
UE LMF
(1) The UE determines that certain A-GNSS assistance data are desired (e.g., as part of a positioning procedure
when the LMF provided assistance data are not sufficient for the UE to fulfil the request) and sends a LPP
Request Assistance Data message to the LMF. This request includes an indication of which specific A-GNSS
assistance data are requested for each GNSS, possibly together with additional information (e.g., for which
GNSS signal types, or satellites, or times the assistance is requested, etc.). Additional information concerning the
UE's approximate location and serving and neighbour cells may also be provided in the Request Assistance Data
message and/or in an accompanying Provide Location Information message to help the LMF provide appropriate
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assistance data. This additional data may include the UE's last known location if available, the cell IDs of the UE
serving NG-RAN node and possibly neighbour NG-RAN nodes, as well as E-UTRA E-CID measurements.
(2) The LMF provides the requested assistance data in a LPP Provide Assistance Data message, if available at the
LMF. The entire set of assistance data may be delivered in one or several LPP messages, e.g., one message per
GNSS. In this case, this step may be repeated by the LMF several times. If any of the UE requested assistance
data in step (1) are not provided in step 2, the UE shall assume that the requested assistance data are not
supported, or currently not available at the LMF. If none of the UE requested assistance data in step (1) can be
provided by the LMF, return any information that can be provided in an LPP message of type Provide Assistance
Data which includes a cause indication for the not provided assistance data.
NOTE: In this version of the specification, periodic assistance data transfer is supported for HA GNSS (e.g.,
RTK) positioning only.
UE LMF
Transaction
Control
2. LPP Provide Assistance Data
(1) The UE determines that periodic assistance data are desired and sends a LPP Request Assistance Data message
to the LMF. This request includes an indication of which specific assistance data are requested together with
additional information such as desired periodicity for sending the assistance data and a duration for ending the
periodic assistance data delivery session.
(2) The LMF responds with a LPP Provide Assistance Data message to the UE. If the UE request can be supported,
the message contains information which may confirm or redefine the type of assistance data or periodicity
parameters requested at step (1). This response indicates the end of the control transaction.
(3) When available, the LMF provides the requested assistance data in a LPP Provide Assistance Data message to
the UE. If any of the requested assistance data in step (1) or redefined in step (2) are not provided the UE
assumes that the requested assistance data are not supported, or currently not available at the LMF.
(4) The LMF may transmit one or more additional LPP Provide Assistance Data messages to the UE containing
further periodic assistance data confirmed or redefined in step (2). When the duration for ending the periodic
assistance data transfer occur, the last LPP Provide Assistance Data message transferred indicates the end of the
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transaction. Additionally, the periodic assistance data delivery session can be ended on request by the UE or by
the LMF with the help of an Abort message.
UE LMF
(1) The LMF sends a LPP Request Location Information message to the UE for invocation of A-GNSS positioning.
This request includes positioning instructions such as the GNSS mode (UE-assisted, UE-based, UE-based
preferred but UE-assisted allowed, UE-assisted preferred, but UE-based allowed, standalone), positioning
methods (GPS, Galileo, GLONASS, BDS, etc. and possibly non-GNSS methods, such as OTDOA positioning or
E-CID positioning), specific UE measurements requested if any, such as fine time assistance measurements,
velocity, carrier phase, multi-frequency measurements, and quality of service parameters (accuracy, response
time).
(2) The UE performs the requested measurements and possibly calculates its own location. The UE sends an LPP
Provide Location Information message to the LMF before the Response Time provided in step (1) elapsed. If the
UE is unable to perform the requested measurements, or if the Response Time provided in step 1 elapsed before
any of the requested measurements have been obtained, the UE returns any information that can be provided in
an LPP message of type Provide Location Information which includes a cause indication for the not provided
location information.
UE LMF
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(1) The UE sends an LPP Provide Location Information message to the LMF. The Provide Location Information
message may include any UE measurements (GNSS pseudo-ranges, carrier phase-ranges, and other
measurements) already available at the UE.
In the OTDOA positioning method, the UE position is estimated based on measurements taken at the UE of downlink
radio signals from multiple E-UTRA TPs (possibly including PRS-only E-UTRA TPs from a PRS-based TBS), along
with knowledge of the geographical coordinates of the measured TPs and their relative downlink timing.
The UE while connected to a gNB may require measurement gaps to perform the OTDOA measurements from E-
UTRA TPs. The UE may request measurement gaps from a gNB using the procedure described in clause 7.4.1.1. If the
UE is not aware of the SFN of at least one E-UTRA TP in the OTDOA assistance data, the UE may use autonomous
gaps to acquire SFN of the E-UTRA OTDOA reference cell prior to requesting measurement gaps for performing the
requested E-UTRA RSTD measurements.
The UE while connected to a ng-eNB may require measurement gaps to perform inter-frequency RSTD measurements
for OTDOA from E-UTRA TPs (see TS 38.133 [32]). The UE may request measurement gaps from a ng-eNB using the
procedure described in clause 7.4.2.1.
The specific positioning techniques used to estimate the UE's location from this information are beyond the scope of
this specification.
- Physical cell IDs (PCIs), global cell IDs (GCIs), and TP IDs of candidate E-UTRA TPs for measurement;
- If known, the SFN timing offset between the serving NR cell and the E-UTRA assistance data reference cell.
NOTE: The LMF can provide the UE with a list of E-UTRA TP candidates for measurement, even if the LMF
does not know the SFN or frame timing of the E-UTRA TPs.
An ng-eNB may provide assistance data relating only to itself and served TPs via NRPPa signalling, although assistance
data from several ng-eNBs and served TPs may be acquired through other mechanisms, see NOTE below.
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NOTE: The assistance data described in this clause are not necessarily transferred only from the ng-eNB, and in
some deployment options may not be delivered from the ng-eNB at all; they may also be delivered to the
LMF through OA&M or other mechanisms external to the NG-RAN. In addition, in cases where
assistance data are delivered from the ng-eNB, how the ng-eNB acquires the data is outside the scope of
this specification.
Information Measurements
Downlink Measurement Results List for Physical cell IDs
EUTRA TPs Global cell IDs
TP IDs
Downlink timing measurements
Information used to compute a reference Delta SFN for each E-UTRA neighbour cell
time corresponding to the downlink timing
measurements to allow correlation of
downlink timing measurements with
motion information independently
obtained from motion sensors
In this version of the specification only the UE-assisted OTDOA positioning is supported.
UE LMF
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(1) The LMF determines that assistance data needs to be provided to the UE (e.g., as part of a positioning procedure)
and sends an LPP Provide Assistance Data message to the UE. This message may include any of the OTDOA
positioning assistance data defined in clause 8.2.2.1.
UE LMF
(1) The UE determines that certain OTDOA positioning assistance data are desired (e.g., as part of a positioning
procedure when the LMF provided assistance data are not sufficient for the UE to fulfil the request) and sends an
LPP Request Assistance Data message to the LMF. This request includes an indication of which specific
OTDOA assistance data are requested. Additional information concerning the UE's approximate location and
serving and neighbour cells may also be provided in the Request Assistance Data message and/or in an
accompanying Provide Location Information message to help the LMF provide appropriate assistance data. This
additional data may include the UE's last known location if available, the cell IDs of the UE serving NG-RAN
node and possibly neighbour NG-RAN nodes, as well as E-UTRA E-CID measurements.
(2) The LMF provides the requested assistance in an LPP Provide Assistance Data message, if available at the LMF.
If any of the UE requested assistance data in step (1) are not provided in step 2, the UE shall assume that the
requested assistance data are not supported, or currently not available at the LMF. If none of the UE requested
assistance data in step (1) can be provided by the LMF, return any information that can be provided in an LPP
message of type Provide Assistance Data which includes a cause indication for the not provided assistance data.
ng-eNB LMF
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(1) The LMF determines that certain OTDOA positioning assistance data are desired (e.g., as part of a periodic
update or as triggered by OAM) and sends an NRPPa OTDOA INFORMATION REQUEST message to the
ng-eNB. This request includes an indication of which specific OTDOA assistance data are requested.
(2) The ng-eNB provides the requested assistance in an NRPPa OTDOA INFORMATION RESPONSE message, if
available at the ng-eNB. If the ng-eNB is not able to provide any information, it returns an OTDOA
INFORMATION FAILURE message indicating the cause of the failure.
Editor's Note: Additional information on OTDOA supporting procedures may be included later, e.g., based on
clause 8.4 in 36.305 with appropriate changes for NG-RAN.
UE LMF
(1) The LMF sends an LPP Request Location Information message to the UE. This request includes indication of
OTDOA measurements requested, including any needed measurement configuration information, and required
response time.
(2) The UE obtains OTDOA measurements as requested in step 1. The UE then sends an LPP Provide Location
Information message to the LMF, before the Response Time provided in step (1) elapsed, and includes the
obtained OTDOA measurements. If the UE is unable to perform the requested measurements, or the Response
Time elapsed before any of the requested measurements were obtained, the UE returns any information that can
be provided in an LPP message of type Provide Location Information which includes a cause indication for the
not provided location information.
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UE LMF
(1) The UE sends an LPP Provide Location Information message to the LMF. The Provide Location Information
message may include any UE OTDOA measurements already available at the UE.
Enhanced Cell ID (E-CID) positioning refers to techniques which use UE and/or NG-RAN radio resource related
measurements to improve the UE location estimate.
In this version of the specification, only E-CID based on LTE signals is supported.
NOTE: For E-CID positioning methods the UE reports only the measurements that it has available rather than
being required to take additional measurement actions. Therefore, the measurement gap request procedure
described in clause 7.4.1.1 is not applicable for E-CID positioning methods.
- GERAN RSSI;
- WLAN RSSI.
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Various techniques exist to use these measurements to estimate the location of the UE. The specific techniques are
beyond the scope of this specification.
UE-Based Enhanced Cell-ID location is not supported in this version of the specification.
Table 8.3.2.2-1: Information that may be transferred from ng-eNB to the LMF
Information
Timing Advance (TADV)
Angle of Arrival (AoA)
E-UTRA Measurement Results List:
- Evolved Cell Global Identifier (ECGI)/Physical Cell ID
- E-UTRA Reference signal received power (RSRP)
- E-UTRA Reference Signal Received Quality (RSRQ)
GERAN Measurement Results List:
- Base Station Identity Code (BSIC)
- ARFCN of Base Station Control Channel (BCCH)
- Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI)
UTRA Measurement Results List:
- UTRAN Physical ID
- Common Pilot Channel Received Signal Code Power
(RSCP)
- Common Pilot Channel Ec/Io
WLAN Measurement Results List:
- WLAN Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI)
- SSID
- BSSID
- HESSID
- Operating Class
- Country Code
- WLAN Channel(s)
- WLAN Band
Table 8.3.2.3-1: Information that may be transferred from gNB to the LMF
Information
E-UTRA Measurement Results List:
- Evolved Cell Global Identifier (ECGI)/Physical Cell ID
- E-UTRA Reference signal received power (RSRP)
- E-UTRA Reference Signal Received Quality (RSRQ)
NR Measurement Results List:
- Cell Global Identifier /Physical Cell ID
- Cell Portion ID
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Information UE-assisted
Evolved Cell Global Identifier (ECGI)/Physical Cell ID Yes
E-UTRA Reference signal received power (RSRP) Yes
E-UTRA Reference Signal Received Quality (RSRQ) Yes
UE E-UTRA Rx – Tx time difference Yes
UE LMF
(1) The LMF sends a LPP Request Location Information message to the UE for invocation of E-CID positioning.
This request includes the E-CID measurements requested by the LMF and supported by the UE as listed in Table
8.3.2.4-1 together with a required response time.
(2) The UE performs the requested measurements and sends an LPP Provide Location Information message to the
LMF before the Response Time provided in step (1) elapsed. If the UE is unable to perform the requested
measurements, or if the Response Time provided in step 1 elapsed before any of the requested measurements
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have been obtained, the UE returns any information that can be provided in an LPP message of type Provide
Location Information which includes a cause indication for the not provided location information.
UE LMF
(1) The UE sends an LPP Provide Location Information message to the LMF. The Provide Location Information
message may include any UE measurements already available at the UE.
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NG-RAN
LMF UE
Node
1. NRPPa Message
(Type: E-CID MEASUREMENT INITIATION
REQUEST)
2. RRC Measurement
Procedure
3. NRPPa Message
(Type: E-CID MEASUREMENT INITIATION
RESPONSE/FAILURE)
(1) The LMF sends a NRPPa E-CID MEASUREMENT INITIATION REQUEST message to the NG-RAN node.
This request includes indication of E-CID measurements requested and whether the result is expected only once
or periodically.
(2) If the LMF in step (1) requested UE measurements (e.g., E-UTRA RSRP, E-UTRA RSRQ measurements, etc.),
the NG-RAN node may configure the UE to report the measurement information requested as specified in TS
36.331 [13], TS 38.331 [14].
(3) If the result is expected only once and the NG-RAN node initiates at least one of the E-CID measurements as
requested, the NG-RAN node sends an NRPPa E-CID MEASUREMENT INITIATION RESPONSE to the
LMF, which includes the obtained E-CID measurements. If the result is expected periodically and the NG-RAN
node is able to initiate at least one of the E-CID measurements as requested, the NG-RAN node sends an NRPPa
E-CID MEASUREMENT INITIATION RESPONSE to the LMF, which does not include any result. The NG-
RAN node reports then the obtained measurements by initiating the E-CID Measurement Report procedure, with
the requested periodicity. If the NG-RAN node is unable to initiate any of the requested measurements as
requested from the LMF, or is unable to instigate any of the required RRC procedures to obtain the requested
measurements from the UE, the NG-RAN node sends an NRPPa E-CID MEASUREMENT INITIATION
FAILURE message providing the error reason. If the failure occurs during a periodic reporting, the NG-RAN
node sends an NRPPa E-CID MEASUREMENT FAILURE INDICATION message.
- UE-Assisted: The UE performs barometric pressure sensor measurements with or without assistance from the
network and sends these measurements to the LMF where the vertical component of the position calculation may
take place, possibly using additional measurements from other sources;
- UE-Based: The UE performs barometric pressure sensor measurements and calculates its own vertical
component of the position, possibly using additional measurements from other sources.
- Standalone: The UE performs barometric pressure sensor measurements and calculates its own vertical
component of the position, possibly using additional measurements from other sources, without network
assistance.
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NOTE: The provision of these assistance data elements and the usage of these elements by the UE depend on the
NG-RAN/5GC and UE capabilities, respectively.
Assistance Data
Reference pressure
Additional reference data
The UE should also report an indication of which positioning method(s) have been used to calculate a fix.
If requested by the LMF and supported by the UE, the UE may report barometric pressure sensor measurements
together with associated quality measurements, if available.
The UE should also report an indication of which positioning method(s) have been used to calculate a fix.
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UE LMF
(1) The LMF determines that assistance data needs to be provided to the UE (e.g., as part of a positioning procedure)
and sends an LPP Provide Assistance Data message to the UE. This message may include any of the barometric
pressure sensor assistance data defined in clause 8.4.2.1.
UE LMF
(1) The UE determines that certain barometric pressure sensor assistance data is desired (e.g., as part of a
positioning procedure when the LMF provided assistance data are not sufficient for the UE to fulfil the request)
and sends a LPP Request Assistance Data message to the LMF. This request includes an indication of which
specific barometric pressure sensor assistance data is requested.
(2)The LMF provides the requested assistance data in a LPP Provide Assistance Data message, if available at the
LMF. The entire set of assistance data may be delivered in one or several LPP messages. In this case, this step
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may be repeated by the LMF several times. If any of the UE requested assistance data in step (1) are not
provided in step 2, the UE shall assume that the requested assistance data are not supported, or currently not
available at the LMF. If none of the UE requested assistance data in step (1) can be provided by the LMF, return
any information that can be provided in an LPP message of type Provide Assistance Data which includes a cause
indication for the not provided assistance data.
UE LMF
(1) The LMF sends a LPP Request Location Information message to the UE for invocation of barometric pressure
sensor positioning. This request includes positioning instructions such as the positioning mode (UE-assisted, UE-
based, standalone), specific requested UE measurements if any, and quality of service parameters (accuracy,
response time).
(2) The UE performs the requested measurements and possibly calculates its own position. The UE sends an LPP
Provide Location Information message to the LMF before the Response Time provided in step (1) elapsed. If the
UE is unable to perform the requested measurements, or if the Response Time provided in step 1 elapsed before
any of the requested measurements have been obtained, the UE returns any information that can be provided in
an LPP message of type Provide Location Information which includes a cause indication for the not provided
location information.
UE LMF
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(1) The UE sends an LPP Provide Location Information message to the LMF. The Provide Location Information
message may include UE barometric pressure sensor measurements or location estimate already available at the
UE.
- Round Trip Time (RTT) between WLAN Access Point and the UE.
- Standalone:
The UE performs WLAN position measurements and location computation, without network assistance.
- UE-assisted:
The UE provides WLAN position measurements with or without assistance from the network to the LMF for
computation of a location estimate by the network.
- UE-based:
The UE performs WLAN position measurements and computation of a location estimate with network
assistance.
NOTE: The provision of these assistance data elements and the usage of these elements by the UE depend on the
NG-RAN/5GC and UE capabilities, respectively.
Assistance Data
WLAN AP List
BSSID
SSID
AP Type Data(1)
AP Location
NOTE 1: WLAN AP Type Data may include WLAN Type (e.g.,
802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ad, etc.), transmit power, antenna gain,
coverage area, etc.
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Table 8.5.2.2-1: Information that may be transferred from the UE to the LMF
UE-based/
Information UE-Assisted
Standalone
WLAN Location Information
BSSID Yes No
SSID Yes No
Received Signal Strength (RSSI) Yes No
Round Trip Time (RTT) Yes No
Time Stamp Yes No
Measurement characteristics Yes No
UE Location Information
UE position estimate with uncertainty shape No Yes
Position Time Stamp No Yes
Location Source (method(s) used to compute
No Yes
location)
The UE should also report an indication of WLAN method and possibly other positioning methods used to calculate a
fix.
- The BSSID/SSID of the measured WLAN access points, and associated RSSI or RTT.
The UE should also report an indication that WLAN method is used and possibly other positioning methods used to
calculate the fix.
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UE LMF
(1) The LMF determines that assistance data needs to be provided to the UE (e.g., as part of a positioning procedure)
and sends an LPP Provide Assistance Data message to the UE. This message may include any of the WLAN
assistance data defined in clause 8.5.2.1.
UE LMF
(1) The UE determines that certain WLAN assistance data is desired (e.g., as part of a positioning procedure when
the LMF provided assistance data are not sufficient for the UE to fulfil the request) and sends a LPP Request
Assistance Data message to the LMF. This request includes an indication of which specific WLAN assistance
data is requested.
(2)The LMF provides the requested assistance data in a LPP Provide Assistance Data message, if available at the
LMF. The entire set of assistance data may be delivered in one or several LPP messages. In this case, this step
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may be repeated by the LMF several times. If any of the UE requested assistance data in step (1) are not
provided in step 2, the UE shall assume that the requested assistance data are not supported, or currently not
available at the LMF. If none of the UE requested assistance data in step (1) can be provided by the LMF, return
any information that can be provided in an LPP message of type Provide Assistance Data which includes a cause
indication for the not provided assistance data.
UE LMF
(1) The LMF sends a LPP Request Location Information message to the UE for invocation of WLAN positioning.
This request includes positioning instructions such as the positioning mode (UE-assisted, UE-based, Standalone),
specific requested UE measurements if any, and quality of service parameters (accuracy, response time).
(2) The UE performs the requested measurements and possibly calculates its own location. The UE sends an LPP
Provide Location Information message to the LMF before the Response Time provided in step (1) elapsed. If the
UE is unable to perform the requested measurements, or if the Response Time provided in step 1 elapsed before
any of the requested measurements have been obtained, the UE returns any information that can be provided in
an LPP message of type Provide Location Information which includes a cause indication for the not provided
location information.
UE LMF
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(1) The UE sends an LPP Provide Location Information message to the LMF. The Provide Location Information
message may include UE WLAN information or location estimate already available at the UE.
- Standalone:
The UE performs Bluetooth position measurements and location computation.
- UE-assisted:
The UE provides Bluetooth position measurements without assistance from the network to the LMF for
computation of a location estimate by the network.
Table 8.6.2.2-1: Information that may be transferred from the UE to the LMF
The UE should also report an indication of Bluetooth method and possibly other location methods have been used to
calculate a fix.
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- The MAC addresses of the measured Bluetooth beacons and associated RSSI.
UE LMF
(1) The LMF sends a LPP Request Location Information message to the UE for invocation of Bluetooth positioning.
This request includes positioning instructions such as the positioning mode (UE-assisted, Standalone), specific
requested UE measurements if any, and quality of service parameters (accuracy, response time).
(2) The UE performs the requested measurements and possibly calculates its own location. The UE sends an LPP
Provide Location Information message to the LMF before the Response Time provided in step (1) elapsed. If the
UE is unable to perform the requested measurements, or if the Response Time provided in step 1 elapsed before
any of the requested measurements have been obtained, the UE returns any information that can be provided in
an LPP message of type Provide Location Information which includes a cause indication for the not provided
location information.
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UE LMF
(1) The UE sends an LPP Provide Location Information message to the LMF. The Provide Location Information
message may include UE Bluetooth information or location estimate already available at the UE.
NOTE: PRS-based TBS is part of downlink OTDOA positioning and described in clause 8.2.
- UE-Assisted: The UE performs TBS measurements with or without assistance from the network, and sends these
measurements to the LMF where the position calculation takes place, possibly using additional measurements
from other (non-TBS) sources;
- UE-Based: The UE performs TBS measurements and calculates its own location, possibly using additional
measurements from other (non-TBS) sources.
- Standalone: The UE performs TBS measurements and calculates its own location, possibly using additional
measurements from other (non-TBS) sources, without network assistance.
NOTE: The provision of these assistance data elements and the usage of these elements by the UE depend on the
NG-RAN/5GC and UE capabilities, respectively.
Assistance Data
Acquisition assistance
Almanac
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8.7.2.1.2 Almanac
Almanac assistance provides the MBS receiver with MBS beacon parameters that can be used to determine the UE
position.
The UE should also report an indication that TBS method is used and possibly other positioning methods used to
calculate the fix.
The UE should also report an indication that TBS method is used and possibly other positioning methods used to
calculate the fix.
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UE LMF
(1) The LMF determines that assistance data needs to be provided to the UE (e.g., as part of a positioning procedure)
and sends an LPP Provide Assistance Data message to the UE. This message may include any of the TBS
assistance data defined in clause 8.7.2.1.
UE LMF
(1) The UE determines that certain TBS assistance data is desired (e.g., when the LMF provided assistance data are
not sufficient for the UE to fulfil the request) and sends a LPP Request Assistance Data message to the LMF.
This request includes an indication of which specific TBS assistance data is requested.
(2)The LMF provides the requested assistance data in a LPP Provide Assistance Data message, if available at the
LMF. The entire set of assistance data may be delivered in one or several LPP messages. In this case, this step
may be repeated by the LMF several times. If any of the UE requested assistance data in step (1) are not
provided in step 2, the UE shall assume that the requested assistance data are not supported, or currently not
available at the LMF. If none of the UE requested assistance data in step (1) can be provided by the LMF, return
any information that can be provided in an LPP message of type Provide Assistance Data which includes a cause
indication for the not provided assistance data.
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UE LMF
(1) The LMF sends a LPP Request Location Information message to the UE for invocation of TBS positioning. This
request includes positioning instructions such as the positioning mode (UE-assisted, UE-based, Standalone),
specific requested UE measurements if any, and quality of service parameters (accuracy, response time).
(2) The UE performs the requested measurements and possibly calculates its own location. The UE sends an LPP
Provide Location Information message to the LMF before the Response Time provided in step (1) elapsed. If the
UE is unable to perform the requested measurements, or if the Response Time provided in step 1 elapsed before
any of the requested measurements have been obtained, the UE returns any information that can be provided in
an LPP message of type Provide Location Information which includes a cause indication for the not provided
location information.
UE LMF
(1) The UE sends an LPP Provide Location Information message to the LMF. The Provide Location Information
message may include UE TBS measurements or location estimate already available at the UE.
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movement information. The movement information comprises displacement results estimated as an ordered series of
points.
8.8.2.1 General
This clause defines the information (e.g., assistance data, position and/or measurement data) that may be transferred
between NG-RAN/5GC elements.
Table 8.8.2.2-1: Sensor Measurement Information that may be transferred from UE to the LMF
8.8.3.1 General
The purpose of this procedure is to enable the LMF to request additional sensor measurements or to enable the UE to
provide sensor measurements to the LMF for position calculation.
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UE LMF
(1) The LMF sends a LPP Request Location Information message to the UE for invocation of motion sensor
positioning. This request includes positioning instructions such as the positioning mode, specific requested UE
measurements if any, and quality of service parameters (accuracy, response time).
(2) The UE performs the requested measurements. The UE sends an LPP Provide Location Information message to
the LMF before the Response Time provided in step (1) elapsed. If the UE is unable to perform the requested
measurements, or if the Response Time provided in step 1 elapsed before any of the requested measurements
have been obtained, the UE returns any information that can be provided in an LPP message of type Provide
Location Information which includes a cause indication for the not provided location information.
UE LMF
(1) The UE sends an LPP Provide Location Information message to the LMF. The Provide Location Information
message may include UE sensor measurements or location estimate already available at the UE.
NOTE: For NR E-CID positioning methods the UE reports only the measurements that it has available rather than
being required to take additional measurement actions. Therefore, the measurement gap request procedure
described in clause 7.4.1.1 is not applicable for NR E-CID positioning methods.
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The UE measurements above may be aggregated at cell level, or measured per SSB or CSI-RS resource.
Various techniques exist to use these measurements to estimate the location of the UE. The specific techniques are
beyond the scope of this specification.
UE-Based NR Enhanced Cell-ID location is not supported in this version of the specification.
Information UE-assisted
SS Reference signal received power (SS-RSRP) Yes
SS Reference Signal Received Quality (SS-RSRQ) Yes
CSI Reference signal received power (CSI-RSRP) Yes
CSI Reference Signal Received Quality (CSI-RSRQ) Yes
NR Cell Global Identifier, /Physical Cell ID Yes
Cell Portion ID Yes
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(1) The LMF sends a LPP Request Location Information message to the UE for invocation of NR E-CID
positioning. This request includes the NR E-CID measurements requested by the LMF and supported by the UE
as listed in Table 8.9.2.2-18.9.2.3-1 together with a required response time.
(2) The UE performs the requested measurements and sends an LPP Provide Location Information message to the
LMF before the Response Time provided in step (1) elapsed. If the UE is unable to perform the requested
measurements, or if the Response Time provided in step 1 elapsed before any of the requested measurements
have been obtained, the UE returns any information that can be provided in an LPP message of type Provide
Location Information which includes a cause indication for the not provided location information.
(1) The UE sends an LPP Provide Location Information message to the LMF. The Provide Location Information
message may include any UE measurements already available at the UE.
The UE may require measurement gaps to perform the Multi-RTT measurements from NR TRPs. The UE may request
measurement gaps from a gNB using the procedure described in clause 7.4.1.1.
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Information
Physical cell IDs (PCIs), global cell IDs (GCIs), and TRP IDs of candidate NR
TRPs for measurement
Timing relative to the serving (reference) TRP of candidate NR TRPs
DL-PRS configuration of candidate NR TRPs
SSB information of the TRPs (the time/frequency occupancy of SSBs)
Information
PCI, GCI, and TRP ID for each measurement
DL PRS- RSRP measurement
UE Rx-Tx time difference measurement
Time stamp of the measurement
Quality for each measurement
Table 8.10.2.3-1: Assistance data that may be transferred from gNB to the LMF
Information
PCI, GCI, and TRP IDs of the TRPs served by the gNB
Timing information of TRPs served by the gNB
DL- PRS configuration of the TRPs served by the gNB
SSB information of the TRPs (the time/frequency occupancy of SSBs)
Spatial direction information of the DL-PRS Resources of the TRPsS
served by the gNB
Geographical coordinates of the TRPs served by the gNB (include a
transmission reference location for each DL-PRS Resource ID,
reference location for the transmitting antenna of the reference TRP,
relative locations for transmitting antennas of other TRPs)
The configuration data for a target UE that may be transferred from the serving gNB to the LMF is listed in Table
8.10.2.3-2.
Table 8.10.2.3-2: UL information/UE configuration data that may be transferred from serving gNB to
the LMF
UE configuration data
UE SRS configuration
The measurement results that may be signalled from gNBs to the LMF is listed in Ttable 8.10.2.3-3.
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Table 8.10.2.3-3: Measurement results that may be transferred from gNBs to the LMF
Measurement results
PCI, GCI, and TRP ID of the measurement
gNB Rx-Tx time difference measurement
UL SRS-RSRP
UL Angle of Arrival (azimuth and elevation)
Time stamp of the measurement
Quality for each measurement
Table 8.10.2.4-1: Requested UL-SRS transmission characteristics information that may be transferred
from LMF to gNB.
Information
Number Of Transmissions/duration for which the UL-SRS is requested
Bandwidth
Resource type (periodic, semi-persistent)
Pathloss reference:
- PCI, SSB Index
- DL-PRS ID, DL-PRS Resource Set ID, DL-PRS Resource ID
Spatial relation info
- PCI, SSB Index
- DL-PRS ID, DL-PRS Resource Set ID, DL-PRS Resource ID
The TRP measurement request information that may be signalled from the LMF to the gNBs is listed in Ttable 8.10.2.4-
2.
Table 8.10.2.4-2: TRP Measurement request information that may be transferred from LMF to gNBs.
Information
PCI, GCI, and TRP ID of the TRP to receivefor the UE to transmit UL- SRS
UE-SRS configuration
UL timing information together with timing uncertainty of candidate TRPs (search
window), for reception of SRS by candidate TRPs
Start time, duration and report characteristics for the measurements
The UL-SRS activation/deactivation request information that may be signalled from the LMF to the gNB is listed in
Table 8.10.2.4-3.
Table 8.10.2.4-3: Requested UL-SRS activation/deactivation information that may be transferred from
LMF to gNB.
Information
SP UL-SRS:
- Activation or Deactivation request
- Positioning SRS Resource Set ID which is to be activated/deactivated
- Spatial relation for Resource IDi
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(1) The LMF determines that assistance data needs to be provided to the UE (e.g., as part of a positioning procedure)
and sends an LPP Provide Assistance Data message to the UE. This message may include any of the Multi-RTT
positioning assistance data defined in clause Table 8.10.2.1-1.
(1) The UE determines that certain Multi-RTT positioning assistance data are desired (e.g., as part of a positioning
procedure when the LMF provided assistance data are not sufficient for the UE to fulfil the request) and sends an
LPP Request Assistance Data message to the LMF. This request includes an indication of which specific Multi-
RTT assistance data are requested. Additional information concerning the UE's approximate location and serving
and neighbour cells may also be provided in the Request Assistance Data message and/or in an accompanying
Provide Location Information message to help the LMF provide appropriate assistance data. This additional data
may include the UE's last known location if available, the cell IDs of the UE serving NG-RAN node and
possibly neighbour NG-RAN nodes, as well as NR E-CID measurements.
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(2) The LMF provides the requested assistance in an LPP Provide Assistance Data message, if available at the LMF.
If any of the UE requested assistance data in step (1) are not provided in step 2, the UE shall assume that the
requested assistance data are not supported, or currently not available at the LMF. If none of the UE requested
assistance data in step (1) can be provided by the LMF, return any information that can be provided in an LPP
message of type Provide Assistance Data which includes a cause indication for the not provided assistance data.
(1) The LMF sends an LPP Request Location Information message to the UE. This request includes indication of
Multi-RTT measurements requested, including any needed measurement configuration information, and required
response time.
(2) The UE obtains Multi-RTT measurements as requested in step 1. The UE then sends an LPP Provide Location
Information message to the LMF, before the Response Time provided in step (1) elapsed, and includes the
obtained Multi-RTT measurements. If the UE is unable to perform the requested measurements, or the Response
Time elapsed before any of the requested measurements were obtained, the UE returns any information that can
be provided in an LPP message of type Provide Location Information which includes a cause indication for the
not provided location information.
(1) The UE sends an LPP Provide Location Information message to the LMF. The Provide Location Information
message may include any UE Multi-RTT measurements already available at the UE.
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Figure 8.10.3.2.1-1 shows the TRP Information Exchangeassistance data Delivery operation from the gNB to the LMF
for the Multi-RTT positioning method, in the case that the procedure is initiated by the LMF.
gNB LMF
gNB LMF
Figure 8.10.3.2.1-1: LMF-initiated TRP Information Exchange assistance data Delivery Procedure
(1) The LMF determines that certain TRP configuration information isassistance data are desired (e.g., as part of a
periodic update or as triggered by OAM) and sends an NRPPa TRP INFORMATION REQUESTASSISTANCE
DATA REQUEST message to the gNB. This request includes an indication of which specific TRP configuration
information isassistance data are requested.
(2) The gNB provides the requested TRP information assistance in an NRPPa TRP INFORMATION
RESPONSEASSISTANCE DATA RESPONSE message, if available at the gNB. If the gNB is not able to
provide any information, it returns an TRP INFORMATION FAILUREASSISTANCE DATA FAILURE
message indicating the cause of the failure.
Figure 8.10.3.2.1-2 shows the UL information Delivery operation from the serving gNB to the LMF.
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gNB LMF
(1) The LMF sends a NRPPa message POSITIONING INFORMATION REQUEST to the serving gNB of the
target UE to request UE SRS configuration information. If the message includes the Requested UL-SRS
Transmission Characteristics as listed in Table 8.10.2.4-1, the gNB should take this information into account
when configuring UL-SRS transmissions for the UE.
(2) The serving gNB determines the UE SRS configuration to be allocated for the UE and sends NRPPa message
POSITIONING INFORMATION RESPONSE to the LMF that includes the UE SRS configuration defined in
Table clause 8.10.2.3-2. If the serving gNB is not able to provide the requested information, it returns a failure
message indicating the cause of the failure.
(3) If a change has occurred in the UE SRS configuration during the UE SRS time duration requested at step 1, the
gNB sends a POSITIONING INFORMATION UPDATE message to the LMF. This message contains, in the
case of a change in UE SRS configuration parameters, the UE SRS configuration information for all cells with
UE SRS configured, or an indication that the UE SRS configuration has been released in the UE.
Figure 8.10.3.2.2-1 shows the messaging between the LMF and the gNB to perform this procedure.
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gNB LMF
(1)The LMF sends a NRPPa message to the selected gNB to request Multi-RTT measurement information. The
message includes any information required for the gNB to perform the measurements as defined in Tablethe
clause 8.10.2.4-2.
(2) If the report characteristics in step 1 is set to "on demand", the gNB obtains the requested Multi-RTT
measurements and returns them in a Measurement Response message to the LMF. The Measurement Response
message includes the obtained Multi-RTT measurements as defined in Tablethe clause 8.10.2.3-3.
If the report characteristics in step 1 is set to "periodic", the gNB replies with a Measurement Response message
without including any measurements in the message. The gNB then periodically initiates the Measurement
Report procedure in step 3 for the Multi-RTT measurements, with the requested reporting periodicity.
If the gNB is not able to accept the Measurement Request message in step 1, the gNB returns a failure message
indicating the cause of the failure.
(3) The gNB periodically provides the Multi-RTT measurements as defined in Tablethe clause 8.10.2.3-3. to the
LMF if that was requested at step 1.
(4) At any time after step 2, the LMF may send a Measurement Update message to the gNB providing updated
information required for the gNB to perform the Multi-RTT measurements as defined in Tablethe clause
8.10.2.4-2. Upon receiving the message, the gNB overwrites the previously received measurement configuration
information.
(5) If the previously requested Multi-RTT measurements can no longer be reported, the gNB notifies the LMF by
sending a Measurement Failure Indication message.
(6) When the LMF wants to abort an ongoing Multi-RTT measurement it sends a Measurement Abort message to
the gNB.
Figure 8.10.3.2.3-1 shows the messaging between the LMF and the gNB to perform this procedure.
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gNB LMF
(1) The LMF sends a NRPPa message to the serving gNB of the target UE to request UL-SRS activation for the
target UE. For a semi-persistent UL-SRS, the message includes an indication of an UL-SRS resource set to be
activated and may include information that indicates the spatial relation for the semi-persistent UL-SRS resource
to be activated, as listed in Table 8.10.2.4-3.
(2) For semi-persistent UL-SRS, the serving gNB may then activate the configured semi-persistent UL-SRS
resource sets by sending the SP Positioning SRS Activation/Deactivation MAC CE command as specified in TS
38.211 [39].
If the UL-SRS has been successfully activated as requested in step 1, the gNB sends a NRPPa response message
to the LMF. If the serving gNB is not able to fulfil the request from step1, it returns a failure message indicating
the cause of the failure.
(3) If a previously activated UL-SRS should be deactivated, the LMF sends a NRPPa message to the serving gNB of
the target device to request deactivation. This message includes an indication of the UL SRS resource set to be
deactivated.
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Serving Neighbour
gNB/
gNB/ gNB/ TRP
UE gNB/TRP TRP LMF
TRP
3. gNB determines
UL SRS Resources
3a. UE SRS
Configuration 4. NRPPa POSITIONING INFORMATION RESPONSE
9a. DL-PRS
9b. UL SRS Measurements
Measurements
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Serving Neighbour
gNB/
gNB/ gNB/ TRP
UE gNB/TRP TRP LMF
TRP
3. gNB determines
UL SRS Resources
3a UE SRS Configuration
4. NRPPa POSITIONING INFORMATION RESPONSE
5 Activate UE SRS
transmission 6 NRPPa MEASUREMENT REQUEST
9a. DL-PRS
9b. UL SRS Measurements
Measurements
0. The LMF may use the procedure in Figure 8.10.3.2.1-1 described in clause 8.10.3.1.2.1 to obtain the TRP DL
information required for Multi-RTT positioning.
1. The LMF may request the positioning capabilities of the target device using the LPP Capability Transfer
procedure described in clause 8.10.3.1.1.
2. The LMF sends a NRPPa POSITIONING INFORMATION REQUEST message to the serving gNB to request
UL information for the target device as described in Figure 8.10.3.2.1-2 clause 8.10.3.2.
3. The serving gNB determines the resources available for UL- SRS and configures the target device with the UL-
SRS resource sets at step 3a.
4. The serving gNB provides the UL- SRS configuration information to the LMF in a NRPPa POSITIONING
INFORMATION RESPONSE message.
5. The LMF may request activation of UE SRS transmission and sends a NRPPa SRS Activation Request message
to the serving gNB of the target device as described in sub-clause 8.10.3.2.3. The gNB then activates the UE
SRS transmission. The target device begins the UL- SRS transmission according to the time domain behavior of
UL- SRS resource configuration.
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6. The LMF provides the UL information to the selected gNBs in a NRPPa MEASUREMENT REQUEST message
as described in clause 8.10.3.2.2. The message includes all information required to enable the gNBs/TRPs to
perform the UL measurements.
7. The LMF sends a LPP Provide Assistance Data message to the target device as described in subclause
8.10.3.1.2.1. The message includes any required assistance data for the target device to perform the necessary
DL- PRS measurements.
8. The LMF sends a LPP Request Location Information message to request Multi-RTT measurements.
9a: The target device performs the DL- PRS measurements from all gNBs provided in the assistance data at step 7.
9b: Each gNB configured at step 6 measures the UE SRS transmissions from the target device.
10. The target device reports the DL- PRS measurements for Multi-RTT to the LMF in a LPP Provide Location
Information message.
11. Each gNB reports the UE SRS measurements to the LMF in a NRPPa Measurement Response message as
described in clause 8.10.3.2.2.
12. The LMF determines the RTTs from the UE and gNB Rx-Tx tTime dDifference mMeasurements for each gNB
for which corresponding UL and DL measurements were provided at steps 10 and 11 and calculates the position
of the target device.
The UE while connected to a gNB may require measurement gaps to perform the DL- AoD measurements from NR
TRPs. The UE may request measurement gaps from a gNB using the procedure described in clause 7.4.1.1.
The specific positioning techniques used to estimate the UE's location from this information are beyond the scope of
this specification.
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Table 8.11.2.3-1: Assistance data that may be transferred from gNB to the LMF
Information
PCI, GCI, and TRP IDs of the TRPs served by the gNB
Timing information of TRPs served by the gNB
DL PRS configuration of the TRPs served by the gNB
SSB information of the TRPs (the time/frequency occupancy of SSBs)
Spatial direction information (e.g. azimuth, elevation etc.) of the DL-
PRS Resources of the TRPs served by the gNB
Geographical coordinates of the TRPs served by the gNB (include a
transmission reference location for each DL-PRS Resource ID,
reference location for the transmitting antenna of the reference TRP,
relative locations for transmitting antennas of other TRPs)
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(1) The LMF determines that assistance data needs to be provided to the UE (e.g., as part of a positioning procedure)
and sends an LPP Provide Assistance Data message to the UE. This message may include any of the DL- AoD
positioning assistance data defined in Table clause 8.11.2.1-1.
(1) The UE determines that certain DL- AoD positioning assistance data are desired (e.g., as part of a positioning
procedure when the LMF provided assistance data are not sufficient for the UE to fulfil the request) and sends an
LPP Request Assistance Data message to the LMF. This request includes an indication of which specific DL-
AoD assistance data are requested. Additional information concerning the UE's approximate location and serving
and neighbour cells may also be provided in the Request Assistance Data message and/or in an accompanying
Provide Location Information message to help the LMF provide appropriate assistance data. This additional data
may include the UE's last known location if available, the cell IDs of the UE serving NG-RAN node and
possibly neighbour NG-RAN nodes, as well as NR E-CID measurements.
(2) The LMF provides the requested assistance in an LPP Provide Assistance Data message, if available at the LMF.
If any of the UE requested assistance data in step (1) are not provided in step 2, the UE shall assume that the
requested assistance data are not supported, or currently not available at the LMF. If none of the UE requested
assistance data in step (1) can be provided by the LMF, return any information that can be provided in an LPP
message of type Provide Assistance Data which includes a cause indication for the not provided assistance data.
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(1) The LMF sends an LPP Request Location Information message to the UE. This request includes indication of
DL- AoD measurements requested, including any needed measurement configuration information, and required
response time.
(2) The UE obtains DL- AoD measurements as requested in step 1. The UE then sends an LPP Provide Location
Information message to the LMF, before the Response Time provided in step (1) elapsed, and includes the
obtained DL- PRS- RSRP measurements. If the UE is unable to perform the requested measurements, or the
Response Time elapsed before any of the requested measurements were obtained, the UE returns any
information that can be provided in an LPP message of type Provide Location Information which includes a
cause indication for the not provided location information.
(1) The UE sends an LPP Provide Location Information message to the LMF. The Provide Location Information
message may include any UE DL- AoD measurements already available at the UE.
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gNB LMF
gNB LMF
Figure 8.11.3.2.1.1-1: LMF-initiated TRP Information Exchange Assistance Data Delivery Procedure
(1) The LMF determines that certain TRP configuration information isDL AoD positioning assistance data are
desired (e.g., as part of a periodic update or as triggered by OAM) and sends an NRPPa TRP INFORMATION
REQUESTASSISTANCE DATA REQUEST message to the gNB. This request includes an indication of which
specific TRP configuration information isDL AOD assistance data are requested.
(2) The gNB provides the requested TRP information assistance in an NRPPa TRP INFORMATION
RESPONSEASSISTANCE DATA RESPONSE message, if available at the gNB. If the gNB is not able to
provide any information, it returns an TRP INFORMATION FAILUREASSISTANCE DATA FAILURE
message indicating the cause of the failure.
The UE while connected to a gNB may require measurement gaps to perform the DL- TDOA measurements from NR
TRPs. The UE may request measurement gaps from a gNB using the procedure described in clause 7.4.1.1.
The specific positioning techniques used to estimate the UE's location from this information are beyond the scope of
this specification.
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Table 8.12.2.3-1: Assistance data that may be transferred from gNB to the LMF
Information
PCI, GCI, and TRP IDs of the TRPs served by the gNB
Timing information of TRPs served by the gNB
DL PRS configuration of the TRPs served by the gNB
SSB information of the TRPs (the time/frequency occupancy of SSBs)
Spatial direction information (e.g. azimuth, elevation etc.) of the DL-
PRS Resources of the TRPs served by the gNB
Geographical coordinates of the TRPs served by the gNB (include a
transmission reference location for each DL-PRS Resource ID,
reference location for the transmitting antenna of the reference TRP,
relative locations for transmitting antennas of other TRPs)
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(1) The LMF determines that assistance data needs to be provided to the UE (e.g., as part of a positioning procedure)
and sends an LPP Provide Assistance Data message to the UE. This message may include any of the DL- TDOA
positioning assistance data defined in Table clause 8.12.2.1-1.
(1) The UE determines that certain DL- TDOA positioning assistance data are desired (e.g., as part of a positioning
procedure when the LMF provided assistance data are not sufficient for the UE to fulfil the request) and sends an
LPP Request Assistance Data message to the LMF. This request includes an indication of which specific DL-
TDOA assistance data are requested. Additional information concerning the UE's approximate location and
serving and neighbour cells may also be provided in the Request Assistance Data message and/or in an
accompanying Provide Location Information message to help the LMF provide appropriate assistance data. This
additional data may include the UE's last known location if available, the cell IDs of the UE serving NG-RAN
node and possibly neighbour NG-RAN nodes, as well as NR E-CID measurements.
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(2) The LMF provides the requested assistance in an LPP Provide Assistance Data message, if available at the LMF.
If any of the UE requested assistance data in step (1) are not provided in step 2, the UE shall assume that the
requested assistance data are not supported, or currently not available at the LMF. If none of the UE requested
assistance data in step (1) can be provided by the LMF, return any information that can be provided in an LPP
message of type Provide Assistance Data which includes a cause indication for the not provided assistance data.
(1) The LMF sends an LPP Request Location Information message to the UE. This request includes indication of
DL- TDOA measurements requested, including any needed measurement configuration information, and
required response time.
(2) The UE obtains DL- TDOA measurements as requested in step 1. The UE then sends an LPP Provide Location
Information message to the LMF, before the Response Time provided in step (1) elapsed, and includes the
obtained DL RSTD measurements and, optionally, the DL PRS- RSRP measurements. If the UE is unable to
perform the requested measurements, or the Response Time elapsed before any of the requested measurements
were obtained, the UE returns any information that can be provided in an LPP message of type Provide Location
Information which includes a cause indication for the not provided location information.
(1) The UE sends an LPP Provide Location Information message to the LMF. The Provide Location Information
message may include any UE DL- TDOA measurements and, optionally, the DL PRS- RSRP measurements
already available at the UE.
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gNB LMF
gNB LMF
(1) The LMF determines that certain TRP configuration information isassistance data are desired (e.g., as part of a
periodic update or as triggered by OAM) and sends an NRPPa TRP INFORMATION REQUESTASSISTANCE
DATA REQUEST message to the gNB. This request includes an indication of which specific TRP configuration
information isDL-TDOA assistance data are requested.
(2) The gNB provides the requested TRP information assistance in an NRPPa TRP INFORMATION
RESPONSEASSISTANCE DATA RESPONSE message, if available at the gNB. If the gNB is not able to
provide any information, it returns an TRP INFORMATION FAILUREASSISTANCE DATA FAILURE
message indicating the cause of the failure.
The specifics of any UL- TDOA positioning methods or techniques used to estimate the UE's location from these
measurements are beyond the scope of this specification.
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In order to obtain uplink measurements, the TRPs need to know the characteristics of the SRS signal transmitted by the
UE for the time period required to perform uplink measurement. These characteristics should be static over the periodic
transmission of SRS during the uplink measurements. Hence, the LMF will indicate to the serving gNB the need to
direct the UE to transmit SRS signals for uplink positioning. It is up to the serving gNB to make the final decision on
resources to be assigned and to communicate this SRS configuration information back to the LMF so that LMF can
forward the SRS configuration to the TRPs. The gNB may decide (e.g., in case no resources are available) to configure
no resources for the UE and report the empty resource configuration to the LMF.
8.13.2.0 Assistance Data that may be transferred from the gNB to the LMF
The assistance data that may be transferred from the gNB to the LMF is listed in Table 8.13.2.0-1.
Table 8.13.2.0-1: Assistance data that may be transferred from gNB to the LMF
Information
PCI, GCI, and TRP IDs of the TRPs served by the gNB
SSB information of the TRPs (the time/frequency occupancy of SSBs)
Geographical coordinates of the TRPs served by the gNB (include reference
location for the receiving antenna of the reference TRP, relative locations for
receiving antennas of other TRPs)
8.13.2.1 Configuration Data that may be transferred from the gNB to the LMF
The configuration data for a target UE that may be transferred from the serving gNB to the LMF is listed in Table
8.13.2.1-1.
Table 8.13.2.1-1: UE configuration data that may be transferred from serving gNB to the LMF
UE configuration data
UE SRS configuration
8.13.2.2 Location Information that may be transferred from the gNBs to LMF
The information that may be transferred from gNBs to the LMF include measurement results listed in Table 8.13.2.2-1.
The individual measurements are defined in TS 38.215 [37].
Table 8.13.2.2-1: Measurement results that may be transferred from gNBs to the LMF
Measurement results
PCI, GCI, and TRP ID of the measurement
UL- RTOA
UL SRS-RSRP
Time stamp of the measurement
Quality for each measurement
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Table 8.13.2.3-1: Requested UL-SRS transmission characteristics information that may be transferred
from LMF to gNB.
Information
Number Of Transmissions/duration for which the UL-SRS is requested
Bandwidth
Resource type (periodic, semi-persistent)
Pathloss reference:
- PCI, SSB Index, SSB configuration (time/frequency occupancy of SSBs)
- DL-PRS ID, DL-PRS Resource Set ID, DL-PRS Resource ID
Spatial relation info
- PCI, SSB Index, SSB configuration (time/frequency occupancy of SSBs)
- DL-PRS ID, DL-PRS Resource Set ID, DL-PRS Resource ID
The TRP measurement request information that may be signalled from the LMF to the gNB is listed in table 8.13.2.3-2.
Table 8.13.2.3-2: TRP Measurement request information that may be transferred from LMF to gNB.
Information
PCI, GCI, and TRP ID of the TRP to receivefor the UE to transmit UL- SRS
UE-SRS configuration
UL timing information together with timing uncertainty of candidate TRPs (search
window), for reception of SRS by candidate TRPs
Start time, duration and report characteristics for the measurements
The UL-SRS activation/deactivation request information that may be signalled from the LMF to the gNB is listed in
Table 8.13.2.3-3.
Table 8.13.2.3-3: Requested UL-SRS activation/deactivation information that may be transferred from
LMF to gNB.
Information
SP UL-SRS:
- Activation or Deactivation request
- Positioning SRS Resource Set ID which is to be activated/deactivated
- Spatial relation for Resource IDi
Figure 8.13.3.2.1-1 shows the UL information Delivery operation from the serving gNB to the LMF.
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gNB LMF
(1) The LMF sends a NRPPa message POSITIONING INFORMATION REQUEST to the serving gNB of the
target UE to request UE SRS configuration information. If the message includes the Requested UL-SRS
Transmission Characteristics as listed in Table 8.13.2.3-1, the gNB should take this information into account
when configuring UL-SRS transmissions for the UE.
(2) The serving gNB determines the UE SRS configuration to be allocated for the UE and sends NRPPa message
POSITIONING INFORMATION RESPONSE to the LMF that includes the UE SRS configuration defined in
Table clause 8.13.2.1-1. If the serving gNB is not able to provide the requested information, it returns a failure
message indicating the cause of the failure.
(3) If a change has occurred in the UE SRS configuration during the UE SRS time duration requested at step 1, the
gNB sends a POSITIONING INFORMATION UPDATE message to the LMF. This message contains, in the
case of a change in UE SRS configuration parameters, the UE SRS configuration information for all cells with
UE SRS configured, or an indication that the UE SRS configuration has been released in the UE.
Figure 8.13.3.2.1-2 shows the TRP Information Exchange operation from the gNB to the LMF for the UL-TDOA
positioning method.
gNB LMF
(1) The LMF determines that certain TRP configuration information is desired (e.g., as part of a periodic update or
as triggered by OAM) and sends an NRPPa TRP INFORMATION REQUEST message to the gNB. This request
includes an indication of which specific TRP configuration information is requested.
(2) The gNB provides the requested TRP information in an NRPPa TRP INFORMATION RESPONSE message, if
available at the gNB. If the gNB is not able to provide any information, it returns an TRP INFORMATION
FAILURE message indicating the cause of the failure.
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Figure 8.13.3.3-1 shows the messaging between the LMF and the gNB to perform this procedure.
gNB LMF
(1)The LMF sends a NRPPa message to the selected gNB to request UL-TDOA measurement information. The
message includes any information required for the gNB to perform the measurements as defined in Tablethe
clause 8.13.2.3-2.
(2) If the report characteristics in step 1 is set to "on demand", the gNB obtains the requested UL-TDOA
measurements and returns them in a Measurement Response message to the LMF. The Measurement Response
message includes the obtained UL-TDOA measurements as defined in Tablethe clause 8.13.2.2-1.
If the report characteristics in step 1 is set to "periodic", the gNB replies with a Measurement Response message
without including any measurements in the message. The gNB then periodically initiates the Measurement
Report procedure in step 3 for the UL-TDOA measurements, with the requested reporting periodicity.
If the gNB is not able to accept the Measurement Request message in step 1, the gNB returns a failure message
indicating the cause of the failure.
(3) The gNB periodically provides the UL-TDOA measurements as defined in Tablethe clause 8.13.2.2-1. to the
LMF if that was requested at step 1.
(4) At any time after step 2, the LMF may send a Measurement Update message to the gNB providing updated
information required for the gNB to perform the UL-TDOA measurements as defined in Tablethe clause
8.13.2.3-2. Upon receiving the message, the gNB overwrites the previously received measurement configuration
information.
(5) If the previously requested UL-TDOA measurements can no longer be reported, the gNB notifies the LMF by
sending a Measurement Failure Indication message.
(6) When the LMF wants to abort an ongoing UL-TDOA measurement it sends a Measurement Abort message to
the gNB.
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Figure 8.13.3.3a5-1 shows the messaging between the LMF and the gNB to perform this procedure.
gNB LMF
(1) The LMF sends a NRPPa message to the serving gNB of the target UE to request UL-SRS activation for the
target UE. For a semi-persistent UL-SRS, the message includes an indication of an UL-SRS resource set to be
activated and may include information that indicates the spatial relation for the semi-persistent UL-SRS resource
to be activated, as listed in Table 8.13.2.3-3.
(2) For semi-persistent UL-SRS, the serving gNB may then activate the configured semi-persistent UL-SRS
resource sets by sending the SP Positioning SRS Activation/Deactivation MAC CE command as specified in TS
38.211 [39].
If the UL-SRS has been successfully activated as requested in step 1, the gNB sends a NRPPa response message
to the LMF. If the serving gNB is not able to fulfil the request from step1, it returns a failure message indicating
the cause of the failure.
(3) If a previously activated UL-SRS should be deactivated, the LMF sends a NRPPa message to the serving gNB of
the target device to request deactivation. This message includes an indication of the UL SRS resource set to be
deactivated.
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Serving Neighbour
gNB/
gNB/ gNB/ TRP
UE gNB/TRP TRP LMF
TRP
3. gNB determines
UL SRS Resources
3a. UE SRS
configuration 4. NRPPa POSITIONING INFORMATION RESPONSE
7. UL SRS Measurements
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Serving Neighbour
gNB/
gNB/ gNB/ TRP
UE gNB/TRP TRP LMF
TRP
3. gNB determines
UL SRS Resources
3a UE SRS configuration
4. NRPPa POSITIONING INFORMATION RESPONSE
5 Activate UE SRS
transmission
6 NRPPa MEASUREMENT REQUEST
7. UL SRS Measurements
0. The LMF may use the procedure in Figure 8.13.3.2.1-2 to obtain the TRP information required for UL-TDOA
positioning.
1. The LMF may request the positioning capabilities of the target device using the LPP Capability Transfer
procedure as described in clause 8.13.3.1.
2. The LMF sends a NRPPa POSITIONING INFORMATION REQUEST message to the serving gNB to request
UL- SRS configuration information for the target device as described in Figure 8.13.3.2.1-1clause 8.13.3.2.1.
3. The serving gNB determines the resources available for UL- SRS and configures the target device with the UL-
SRS resource sets at step 3a.
4. The serving gNB provides the UL information to the LMF in a NRPPa POSITIONING INFORMATION
RESPONSE message.
5. The LMF may request activation of UE SRS transmission and sends a NRPPa SRS Activation Request message
to the serving gNB of the target device as described in sub-clause 8.13.3.3a4. The gNB then activates the UL-
SRS transmission. The target device begins the UL- SRS transmission according to the time domain behavior of
UL- SRS resource configuration.
6. The LMF provides the UL- SRS configuration to the selected gNBs in a NRPPa MEASUREMENT REQUEST
message as described in clause 8.13.3.3. The message includes all information required to enable the gNBs/TRPs
to perform the UL measurements.
7. Each gNB configured at step 6 measures the UL- SRS transmissions from the target device.
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8. Each gNB reports the UL- SRS measurements to the LMF in a NRPPa Measurement Response message as
described in clause 8.13.3.3.
Figure 8.13.3.5-1 shows the messaging between the LMF and the gNB to perform this procedure.
gNB LMF
(1) The LMF sends a NRPPa message to the serving gNB of the target UE to request UL-SRS activation for the
target UE. For a semi-persistent UL-SRS, the message includes an indication of an UL-SRS resource set to be
activated and may include information that indicates the spatial relation for the semi-persistent UL-SRS resource
to be activated, as listed in Table 8.13.2.3-3.
(2) For semi-persistent UL-SRS, the serving gNB may then activate the configured semi-persistent UL-SRS
resource sets by sending the SP Positioning SRS Activation/Deactivation MAC CE command as specified in TS
38.211 [39].
If the UL-SRS has been successfully activated as requested in step 1, the gNB sends a NRPPa response message
to the LMF. If the serving gNB is not able to fulfil the request from step1, it returns a failure message indicating
the cause of the failure.
(3) If a previously activated UL-SRS should be deactivated, the LMF sends a NRPPa message to the serving gNB of
the target device to request deactivation. This message includes an indication of the UL SRS resource set to be
deactivated.
The specific of any UL- AoA positioning methods or techniques used to estimate the UE's location from these
measurements are beyond the scope of this specification.
In order to obtain uplink measurements, the TRPs need to know the characteristics of the SRS signal transmitted by the
UE for the time period required to calculate uplink measurement. These characteristics should be static over the
periodic transmission of SRS during the uplink measurements. Hence, the LMF will indicate to the serving gNB the
need to direct the UE to transmit SRS signals for uplink positioning. It is up to the gNB to make the final decision on
resources to be assigned and to communicate this configuration information back to the LMF so that LMF can
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configure the TRPs. The gNB may decide (e.g., in case no resources are available) to configure no resources for the UE
and fail the corresponding NRPPa procedure.
8.14.2.0 Assistance Data that may be transferred from the gNB to the LMF
The assistance data that may be transferred from the gNB to the LMF is listed in Table 8.14.2.0-1.
Table 8.14.2.0-1: Assistance data that may be transferred from gNB to the LMF
Information
PCI, GCI, and TRP IDs of the TRPs served by the gNB
SSB information of the TRPs (the time/frequency occupancy of SSBs)
Geographical coordinates of the TRPs served by the gNB (include reference
location for the receiving antenna of the reference TRP, relative locations for
receiving antennas of other TRPs)
8.14.2.1 Configuration Data that may be transferred from the gNB to the LMF
The configuration data for a target UE that may be transferred from the serving gNB to the LMF is listed in Table
8.143.2.1-1.
Table 8.14.2.1-1: UE configuration data that may be transferred from serving gNB to the LMF
UE configuration data
UE SRS configuration
8.14.2.2 Location Information that may be transferred from the gNBs to LMF
The information that may be transferred from gNBs to the LMF include measurement results are listed in Table
8.14.2.2-1. The individual measurements are defined in TS 38.215 [37].
Table 8.14.2.2-1: Measurement results that may be transferred from gNBs to the LMF
Measurement results
PCI, GCI, and TRP ID of the measurement
UL Angle of Arrival (azimuth and elevation)
UL SRS-RSRP
Time stamp of the measurement
Quality for each measurement
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Table 8.14.2.3-1: Requested UL-SRS transmission characteristics information that may be transferred
from LMF to gNB.
Information
Number Of Transmissions/duration for which the UL-SRS is requested
Bandwidth
Resource type (periodic, semi-persistent)
Pathloss reference:
- PCI, SSB Index, SSB configuration (time/frequency occupancy of SSBs)
- DL-PRS ID, DL-PRS Resource Set ID, DL-PRS Resource ID
Spatial relation info
- PCI, SSB Index, SSB configuration (time/frequency occupancy of SSBs)
- DL-PRS ID, DL-PRS Resource Set ID, DL-PRS Resource ID
The TRP measurement request information that may be signalled from the LMF to the gNB is listed in table 8.14.2.3-2.
Table 8.14.2.3-2: TRP Measurement request information that may be transferred from LMF to gNB.
Information
PCI, GCI, and TRP ID of the TRP to receive for the UE to transmit UL- SRS
UE-SRS configuration
UL timing information together with timing uncertainty of candidate TRPs (search
window), for reception of SRS by candidate TRPs
Start time, duration and report characteristics for the measurements
The UL-SRS activation/deactivation request information that may be signalled from the LMF to the gNB is listed in
Table 8.14.2.3-3.
Table 8.14.2.3-3: Requested UL-SRS activation/deactivation information that may be transferred from
LMF to gNB.
Information
SP UL-SRS:
- Activation or Deactivation request
- Positioning SRS Resource Set ID which is to be activated/deactivated
- Spatial relation for Resource IDi
Figure 8.14.3.2.1-1 shows the UL information Delivery operation from the serving gNB to the LMF.
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gNB LMF
(1) The LMF sends a NRPPa message POSITIONING INFORMATION REQUEST to the serving gNB of the
target UE to request UE SRS configuration information. If the message includes the Requested UL-SRS
Transmission Characteristics as listed in Table 8.14.2.3-1, the gNB should take this information into account
when configuring UL-SRS transmissions for the UE.
(2) The serving gNB determines the UE SRS configuration to be allocated for the UE and sends NRPPa message
POSITIONING INFORMATION RESPONSE to the LMF that includes the UE SRS configuration defined in
Table clause 8.14.2.1-1. If the serving gNB is not able to provide the requested information, it returns a failure
message indicating the cause of the failure.
(3) If a change has occurred in the UE SRS configuration during the UE SRS time duration requested at step 1, the
gNB sends a POSITIONING INFORMATION UPDATE message to the LMF. This message contains, in the
case of a change in UE SRS configuration parameters, the UE SRS configuration information for all cells with
UE SRS configured, or an indication that the UE SRS configuration has been released in the UE.
Figure 8.14.3.2.1-2 shows the TRP Information Exchange operation from the gNB to the LMF for the UL-AoA
positioning method.
gNB LMF
(1) The LMF determines that certain TRP configuration information is desired (e.g., as part of a periodic update or
as triggered by OAM) and sends an NRPPa TRP INFORMATION REQUEST message to the gNB. This request
includes an indication of which specific TRP configuration information is requested.
(2) The gNB provides the requested TRP information in an NRPPa TRP INFORMATION RESPONSE message, if
available at the gNB. If the gNB is not able to provide any information, it returns an TRP INFORMATION
FAILURE message indicating the cause of the failure.
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Figure 8.14.3.3-1 shows the messaging between the LMF and the gNB to perform this procedure.
gNB LMF
(1)The LMF sends a NRPPa message to the selected gNB to request UL-AoOA measurement information. The
message includes any information required for the gNB to perform the measurements as defined in Tablethe
clause 8.14.2.3-2.
(2) If the report characteristics in step 1 is set to "on demand", the gNB obtains the requested UL-AoOA
measurements and returns them in a Measurement Response message to the LMF. The Measurement Response
message includes the obtained UL-AoOA measurements as defined in Tablethe clause 8.14.2.2-1.
If the report characteristics in step 1 is set to "periodic", the gNB replies with a Measurement Response message
without including any measurements in the message. The gNB then periodically initiates the Measurement
Report procedure in step 3 for the UL-AoOA measurements, with the requested reporting periodicity.
If the gNB is not able to accept the Measurement Request message in step 1, the gNB returns a failure message
indicating the cause of the failure.
(3) The gNB periodically provides the UL-AoOA measurements as defined in Tablethe clause 8.14.2.2-1. to the
LMF if that was requested at step 1.
(4) At any time after step 2, the LMF may send a Measurement Update message to the gNB providing updated
information required for the gNB to perform the UL-AoOA measurements as defined in Tablethe clause
8.14.2.3-2. Upon receiving the message, the gNB overwrites the previously received measurement configuration
information.
(5) If the previously requested UL-AoOA measurements can no longer be reported, the gNB notifies the LMF by
sending a Measurement Failure Indication message.
(6) When the LMF wants to abort an ongoing UL-AoOA measurement it sends a Measurement Abort message to the
gNB.
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Figure 8.14.3.3a5-1 shows the messaging between the LMF and the gNB to perform this procedure.
gNB LMF
(1) The LMF sends a NRPPa message to the serving gNB of the target UE to request UL-SRS activation for the
target UE. For a semi-persistent UL-SRS, the message includes an indication of an UL-SRS resource set to be
activated and may include information that indicates the spatial relation for the semi-persistent UL-SRS resource
to be activated, as listed in Table 8.14.2.3-3.
(2) For semi-persistent UL-SRS, the serving gNB may then activate the configured semi-persistent UL-SRS
resource sets by sending the SP Positioning SRS Activation/Deactivation MAC CE command as specified in TS
38.211 [39].
If the UL-SRS has been successfully activated as requested in step 1, the gNB sends a NRPPa response message
to the LMF. If the serving gNB is not able to fulfil the request from step1, it returns a failure message indicating
the cause of the failure.
(3) If a previously activated UL-SRS should be deactivated, the LMF sends a NRPPa message to the serving gNB of
the target device to request deactivation. This message includes an indication of the UL SRS resource set to be
deactivated.
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Serving Neighbour
gNB/
gNB/ gNB/ TRP
UE gNB/TRP TRP LMF
TRP
3. gNB determines
UL SRS Resources
3a. UE SRS
configuration 4. NRPPa POSITIONING INFORMATION RESPONSE
7. UL SRS Measurements
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Serving Neighbour
gNB/
gNB/ gNB/ TRP
UE gNB/TRP TRP LMF
TRP
3. gNB determines
UL SRS Resources
3a UE SRS configuration
4. NRPPa POSITIONING INFORMATION RESPONSE
5 Activate UE SRS
transmission
6 NRPPa MEASUREMENT REQUEST
7. UL SRS Measurements
0. The LMF may use the procedure in Figure 8.14.3.2.1-2 to obtain the TRP information required for UL-AoA
positioning.
1. The LMF may request the positioning capabilities of the target device using the LPP Capability Transfer
procedure as described in clause 8.14.3.1.
2. The LMF sends a NRPPa POSITIONING INFORMATION REQUEST message to the serving gNB to request
UL- SRS configuration information for the target device as described in Figure 8.14.3.2.1-1clause 8.14.3.2.2.
3. The serving gNB determines the resources available for UL- SRS and configures the target device with the UL-
SRS resource sets at step 3a.
4. The serving gNB provides the UL SRS configuration information to the LMF in a NRPPa POSITIONING
INFORMATION RESPONSE message.
5. The LMF may request activation of UE SRS transmission and sends a NRPPa SRS Activation Request message
to the serving gNB of the target device as described in sub-clause 8.14.3.3a4. The gNB then activates the UL-
SRS transmission. The target device begins the UL- SRS transmission according to the time domain behavior of
UL- SRS resource configuration.
6. The LMF provides the UL- SRS configuration to the selected gNBs in a NRPPa MEASUREMENT REQUEST
message as described in clause 8.14.3.3. The message includes all information required to enable the gNBs/TRPs
to perform the UL measurements.
7. Each gNB configured at step 6 measures the UL- SRS transmissions from the target device.
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8. Each gNB reports the UL- SRS measurements to the LMF in a NRPPa Measurement Response message as
described in clause 8.14.3.3.
Figure 8.14.3.5-1 shows the messaging between the LMF and the gNB to perform this procedure.
gNB LMF
(1) The LMF sends a NRPPa message to the serving gNB of the target UE to request UL-SRS activation for the
target UE. For a semi-persistent UL-SRS, the message includes an indication of an UL-SRS resource set to be
activated and may include information that indicates the spatial relation for the semi-persistent UL-SRS resource
to be activated, as listed in Table 8.14.2.3-3.
(2) For semi-persistent UL-SRS, the serving gNB may then activate the configured semi-persistent UL-SRS
resource sets by sending the SP Positioning SRS Activation/Deactivation MAC CE command as specified in TS
38.211 [39].
If the UL-SRS has been successfully activated as requested in step 1, the gNB sends a NRPPa response message
to the LMF. If the serving gNB is not able to fulfil the request from step1, it returns a failure message indicating
the cause of the failure.
(3) If a previously activated UL-SRS should be deactivated, the LMF sends a NRPPa message to the serving gNB of
the target device to request deactivation. This message includes an indication of the UL SRS resource set to be
deactivated.
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Autonomous GPS/GANSS P P P
Sensors NA P NOTE 5 P
WLAN NA P P
Bluetooth NA P P
TBS NOTE 4 NA P P
NOTE: What is referred to in the SUPL specifications as "Enhanced Cell ID", is a UE-Assisted positioning mode,
where the neighbouring cell measurements are carried at the SUPL layer (in the SUPL_POS_INIT for
example) and does not include methods based on NR signals. The ASN.1 container for this mode is
defined as follows:
LteCellInformation ::= SEQUENCE {
cellGlobalIdEUTRA CellGlobalIdEUTRA,
physCellId PhysCellId,
trackingAreaCode TrackingAreaCode,
rsrpResult RSRP-Range OPTIONAL,
rsrqResult RSRQ-Range OPTIONAL,
ta INTEGER(0..1282) OPTIONAL, -- Currently used Timing Advance value (N_TA/16 as per [3GPP
36.213])
measResultListEUTRA MeasResultListEUTRA OPTIONAL, --Neighbour measurements
...,
earfcn INTEGER(0..65535) OPTIONAL, -- see Table 37
earfcn-ext INTEGER (65536..262143) OPTIONAL, -- see Table 37
rsrpResult-ext RSRP-Range-Ext OPTIONAL,
rsrqResult-ext RSRQ-Range-Ext OPTIONAL,
rs-sinrResult RS-SINR-Range OPTIONAL,
servingInformation5G ServingInformation5G OPTIONAL
}
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It should be noted that in addition to the container provided by SUPL itself, E-CID positioning methods (excludes E-
CID and CID for NR signals) defined within LPP proper can be supported in SUPL, via tunneling LPP as shown in this
annex (in the same manner that A-GNSS, OTDOA, Barometric Pressure Sensors, WLAN, Bluetooth and TBS are
supported).
The interworking does not enable use of user-plane signalling for part of a control-plane positioning session. The user
plane in the interworking here is not intended as an alternative path for control-plane signalling that would be needed
between UE and NG-RAN for mechanisms such as A-GPS in a standalone control-plane solution.
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This interworking does enable the SPC to retrieve measurements (e.g., GNSS-to-RAN time relations) from the NG-
RAN.
The underlying architecture is shown in Figure A.2-1 (TS 23.501 [2]). Note that, for interworking between user-plane
and control-plane positioning, no new interfaces need to be defined as compared to those in the figure, assuming the
SPC is either integrated in the LMF or attached to it with a proprietary interface.
UDM NLh
N8
NG-
UE AMF GMLC
RAN N2 NLg
Uu NLs
Le
Llp LCS
Signaling N3 LMF SPC SLC
Data/Voice Client
Connection via
intermediate entities Lup
Non-LCS Entity UPF
N6
Figure A.2-1: System reference architecture reference for Location Services in reference point
representation
The Lup and Llp interfaces shown in this architecture are part of the user-plane solution only and are not required for
control-plane positioning.
SLP SET
1. SUPL INIT
5. SUPL END
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For positioning operations which take place entirely within an LPP session (step 4 in Figure A.3-1), the flow of LPP
messages can be the same as in the control-plane version of LPP; the role of the (LPP) target is taken by the target SET,
and that of the (LPP) server by the SLP. An example LPP flow, including exchange of capabilities, request and delivery
of assistance data, and request and delivery of positioning information, is shown in Figure A.3-2.
This situation could arise in the case of UE-assisted OTDOA, for example, in which the SLP needs to provide the UE
(in a SUPL session) with assistance data supplied by the NG-RAN. This clause uses a UE-assisted OTDOA positioning
operation as an example.
Although the positioning server in this operation is the SLP, the existence of an interface to the LMF means that the
SLP can communicate with the LMF via the SPC. In particular, this means that assistance data that was delivered to the
LMF via NRPPa can be transferred over to the SLP for delivery to the UE via LPP over SUPL.
There are several ways to realise this general behaviour. In the simplest case, the LMF could be supplied with the
necessary assistance data in advance, so that it can be supplied to the SLP without any actual NRPPa procedures taking
place in real time (and possibly even before the positioning transaction begins).
Assistance data
(via NRPPa)
Assistance data
(via LPP/SUPL)
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In the event that the LMF does not have the required assistance data available, it would need to retrieve them from the
NG-RAN once it was made aware that they were needed.
Assistance data
(via NRPPa)
Assistance data
(via Llp)
Assistance data
(via LPP/SUPL)
Figure A.4-2: Transfer to the UE via SUPL of OTDOA assistance data not already available at the LMF
In both cases, it should be noted that the retrieval of the assistance data is transparent to the UE and to the actual SUPL
session. This model is parallel to the approach used with A-GNSS, in which assistance data such as satellite
ephemerides are retrieved from sources entirely external to the cellular network. For purposes of LPP over SUPL, the
delivery of assistance data to the SLP can be viewed as an independent external process.
The delivery of assistance data to the UE, however, takes place through the same mechanisms as control-plane LPP,
transported through SUPL.
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Annex B (informative):
Change history
Change history
Date Meeting TDoc CR Rev Cat Subject/Comment New
version
08/2017 RAN2#99 R2-1709477 Skeleton for TS 38.305 0.0.1
03/2018 RAN2#101 R2-1803804 0.1.0
03/2018 RAN#79 RP-180171 Submitted for Information in RAN#79 1.0.0
05/2018 RAN2#102 R2-1808695 1.1.0
05/2018 RAN2#102 R2-1809137 1.2.0
06/2018 RP-80 RP-180689 Submitted for Approval in RAN#80 2.0.0
06/2018 Upgraded to Rel-15 after plenary approval 15.0.0
09/2018 RP-81 RP-181939 0001 - F Signalling between an LMF and NG-RAN node/UE 15.1.0
RP-81 RP-181942 0002 1 F Gaps for positioning measurements 15.1.0
12/2018 RP-82 RP-182655 0006 - F Addition of RTK Assistance Data 15.2.0
RP-82 RP-182656 0007 1 F Capture use of motion information from motion sensors 15.2.0
03/2019 RP-83 RP-190544 0008 2 F CR to 38.305 on use of positioning measurement gaps for 15.3.0
subframe and slot timing detection towards E-UTRA
06/2019 RP-84 RP-191374 0009 2 F Minor restructuring of sensor references and addition of sensor 15.4.0
methods (IMU)
RP-84 RP-191374 0010 3 F Adding missing reference for autonomous and measuremnts gaps 15.4.0
for Inter-RAT RSTD measurements
RP-84 RP-191376 0011 4 F Update of OMA SUPL information 15.4.0
RP-84 RP-191378 0012 4 F UE Identifier for routing message between Core Network Nodes 15.4.0
and RAN
12/2019 RP-86 RP-192938 0014 2 F Correction on the EUTRAN terminology 15.5.0
RP-86 RP-192935 0015 2 F Corrections for Positioning Architecture 15.5.0
RP-86 RP-192935 0016 - F Corrections of terminology for stage 2 15.5.0
03/2020 RP-87 RP-200357 0013 1 B Introduction of B1C signal in BDS system in A-GNSS 16.0.0
RP-87 RP-200345 0017 3 B Introduction of NR positioning 16.0.0
07/2020 RP-88 RP-201161 0019 2 A Clarification on UE Positioning Architecture 16.1.0
RP-88 RP-201175 0021 1 A CR to clarify the meaning of GNSS term in 38.305 Rel-16 16.1.0
RP-88 RP-201190 0024 1 F Update B1I signal ICD file to v3.0 in BDS system in A-GNSS 16.1.0
RP-88 RP-201175 0025 2 F Corrections to NR Positioning 16.1.0
3GPP